2. Using an appropriate illustration and words, describe the physics of flight.

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2 1. Besides the obvious, like feathers and wings, birds have many special features that allow them to fly. Explain how each of the characteristics are specialized to help birds fly. A. Skeletal System- bones are light and porous. The furcula (wishbone) keeps the wings from flapping into each other. The keel serves as point for muscle attachment. The pygostyle (tailbone) is used for steering and maneuvering. B. Circulatory System Birds have four chambered hearts (like us). Oxygenated blood is kept separate from deoxygenated blood. This means more O2 gets to the mitochondria of the cells, which means more ATP. C. Reproductive System- Females have only one ovary that is functional. Two ovaries would mean more eggs produced and too much weight to fly. In addition, the amount of calcium that is taken from the bones to make extra egg shells would make the female s bones too brittle and they would break under the stress of flight. D. Digestive System- Birds are eating machines and process food very quickly. This is why they can eat berries, etc, that would be poisonous to us. (refer to picture of digestive system in the class handout) E. Respiratory System- Respiratory System- Birds have air sacs that help keep them buoyant. Gas exchange does not take place in the air sacs. (refer to picture of the respiratory system in the class handout) F. Excretory System Excretory System Birds lack urinary bladders, thereby reducing the water weight it must carry. It concentrates its waste into a slimy, semisolid, highly acidic compound. 2. Using an appropriate illustration and words, describe the physics of flight. Bernoulli s Principle: A Swiss physicist named Daniel Bernoulli discovered the following in 1738: The pressure exerted by a stream on an object, is decreased the faster that stream goes. Faster moving air over a curved surface results in a difference of pressure on either side of the wing. The slower moving air from underneath exerts a greater pressure and results in lift.

3 3. Go to the website: biology.allaboutbirds.org. Look for the tab under the Featured Content heading that says, Article: Feathers. Read the first two pages of this article to answer the following. A. Identify the different types of feathers by writing the name on the blank provided. Then match the feather type with function by putting the number on the blank. A. semiplume B. tail C. bristle D. wing E. contour F. filoplume G. down. C Mostly found on the head (if present at all). Protects the eyes D Stiff structures that are used for flight E These feathers cover the body, streamline the overall shape, and provide G Loosely structured feather that traps air and provides warmth B Similar to wing feathers but are used for steering F These function like the whiskers of a mammal, providing a way to keep other feathers in line. A Like down feathers, aid in trapping heat and keeping the body warm 4. Go back and read page 3 of the section called Articles: Feathers. Then complete interactive section 3 of All About Feathers. This does require some toggling back and forth within the website. For each of the 8 types of feathers you saw, write down its function Flight 5. Display Insulation 6. May have a variety of functions at the same time Display 7. Camouflage Display & Camouflage 8. Waterproofing & Display

4 5. Read pg.2 of, Interactive: All About Feathers module, ( home page ofbiology.allaboutbirds.org.) and your text (pg.844) to complete the following. Use the following word bank. You will have to look at multiple diagrams to find all the answers. (rachis) (plumulaceuous region ) (barbs) (hooks) (calamus) (barbules) (pennaceous region) E. A. F. B. C. D. G. Write the feather part below Match the part of the feather with its function A. Pennaceuous region C this is the hollow base of the feather shaft B. Plumaceuous region G these zip the barbules together like velcro C. calamus _B the area where the barbs do not lock together D. rachis D the lengthwise shaft of the feather E. barb E the branching sections off of the rachis F. barbule A the area where barbs interlock to create a smooth surface G. hooks F the branching sections off of the barbs

5 6. Explain three methods of how a bird maintains the health of its feathers. (see Eyewitness Bird pg. 21 and pages 10 & 11 in your reference packet. See the section under Preening ) A. Preening pulling its feathers through its beak. The purpose is to connect the microscopic hooks of neighboring feather together like a zipper. B. Bathing / Anting Bird will cover themselves with a variety of substances to keep their feathers clean; including water, dust and even ants. The formic acid that ants spit out is like a delousing agent. C. Oil many birds have a gland at the base of the tail which contains water proof oils. They spread this oil over their feathers with their bill. 6. Look at section number 5 in the interactive section, All About Feathers. It is called Meet a Feather Scientst. View each short video and then answer the questions associated with that section. A Puzzle : In the words of Kim Bostwick, what is puzzling about the Club- Winged Manakin? Bird are known for making a variety of vocalizations but it is relatively rare to hear sound coming from the wings. Behavior: To put things into perspective, match the vibrating speed of each body part with the animal associated with it. _D Sparrow wings in flight _C Rattlesnake tail _B Hummingbird wings in flight _A Club-Winged Manakin A. 107 times per second B. 75 times per second C. 90 times per second D. 30 times per second Sounds: Explain the mathematical relationship between the number of times the wings beat and the actual sound produced. Write out the actual equation and explain what it means. The wings flip up and down 107 times per second. During the time when they are up, something is happening 14 times for every cycle. If you multiply 107 by 14, you get 1500, which is the frequency of sound that is actually measured. Feathers: What animal gave Kim Bostwick some insight about what may be happening with the Club- Winged Manakin? The cricket Explain what stridulation means? Stridulation refers to mechanical process of one body part rubbing up against another to produce sound

6 Describe how the Club-Winged Manakin uses its 5 th and 6 th feathers to produce sounds The 5 th feather acts as like a pick and rubbing on the teeth of a comb. The 6 th feather has ridges on it that are struck by the 5 th feather. This produces sound. Solution: In letter D above, the number 14 is an important part of the equation that explains what is going on here. What does this number refer to? The feathers rub together 14 times every time the wings come up or knock together. The wings knock together 107 times every second. The product of 14 and 107 give you the frequency of 1.5 khz (kilohertz) that is observed. Conclusion: If the 6 th and 7 th wings were not clubbed as they are, how do you think that would affect the sound produced? The frequency and the volume of sound would be affected. It might produce a higher sound, a lower sound or maybe none at all. If they were any fatter or thinner, they might not vibrate at all. 7. Explain three methods of how a bird maintains the health of its feathers. (see Eyewitness Bird pg. 21) A. Preening pulling its feathers through its beak. The purpose is to connect the microscopic hooks of neighboring feather together like a zipper. B. Bathing / Anting Bird will cover themselves with a variety of substances to keep their feathers clean; including water, dust and even ants. The formic acid that ants spit out is like a delousing agent. C. Oil many birds have a gland at the base of the tail which contains water proof oils. They spread this oil over their feathers with their bill.

7 8. Match the beak with the type of food it best suited for eating. Use these words to fill in the blanks. (fish) (insects) (seeds & nuts) (worms) (live prey) (algae & invertebrates) seeds & nuts Fish live prey insects worms algae&/invertebrates 9. Match each type of foot with the habitat it would be best suited for. A. This kind of foot would allow for easy walking in shallow water B. This foot type would be used by ducks and loons C. If you were trying to balance on a branch without falling off C B D D. A bird that climbs trees and then stays in one position on the trunk E. Sharp claws for tearing meat apart F. This would be good for loosening up the dirt to find food F E A

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