list 5 flying adaptation of birds
Answers
Answer:
Birds evolved not only wings, but many other adaptations that make it possible to fly. Feathers provide insulation, waterproofing, and a lightweight means to become airborne. Birds have honeycombed or hollow bones, reducing body weight. And instead of
Answer:
•birds have large chest muscle which is used to move the wings
•they have hollow bones which make their body light weighted.
•they have feathers which make them fly
Explanation:
Morphological Adaptations
Body Contour
The birds have a spindle-shaped body to offer less air resistance during flight. This helps the birds to conserve energy and become more efficient at flying.
Compact Body
The body of a bird is compact, dorsally strong and ventrally heavy to maintain equilibrium in the air. Their wings are attached on the thorax, the light organs like lungs and sacs are positioned high, the heavy muscles placed centrally are other features that help in flight.
Body Covered With Feathers
The feathers are smooth, directed backwards, and closely fitting which make the body streamlined and reduce friction during flight. It lightens the body weight and protects it from the effect of environmental temperature. They also have a wide surface area for striking the air.
Feathers add to the body buoyancy. It insulates the body and prevents any loss of heat from the body. This helps the birds to bear low temperatures at higher altitudes.
Forelimbs Modified into Wings
The forelimbs are modified into wings which is the only organ of flight. These consist of a framework of bones, muscles, nerves, feathers, and blood vessels.
The wings have a large surface area. They also support the bird in the air. The wings have a thick strong leading edge with a concave lower surface and a convex upper surface. This helps in increasing the air pressure below and reducing the air pressure above. Thus the bird can fly upward and forward during flight.
Mobile Neck and Head
The birds have a long and flexible neck which helps in the movement of head important for various functions. They possess a horny beak which helps them to pick the grains and insects while feeding.
Bipedal Locomotion
The anterior part of the body of a bird helps in taking off during flight. The anterior part of the body also helps birds to land. The hindlimbs help in the locomotion on land. They can support the entire body weight of a bird.
Perching
When a bird sits on the branch of a tree, its toes wrap around the twig. This is known as perching. The muscles are so well-developed that a bird can sleep in that position without falling.
Short Tail
The tail bears long feathers that spread like a fan and function as a rudder during flight. They also help in balancing, lifting, and steering while flying and perching.