The birds They are vertebrate animals, whose main characteristic is to have the forelimbs modified in the shape of wings, which in most cases allows them to fly. In addition, they have hind limbs, which gives them the ability to walk, jump, and stand. They have a body that can vary completely in sizes, ranging from 6.5 centimeters to 2.74 meters. For example: toucan, canary, flamingo, ostrich.
Some common features to all birds are the streamlined body or the thin and powerful muscles. Also, in your heart, two atria and two ventricles can differentiate, and your skin lacks glands. Another common characteristic is regarding the glands, because at the base of the tail its only two uropygial glands are located, which secrete an odorous and greasy substance.
Classification of birds
Many of its characteristics, however, are different depending on the type of bird. Based on this, groups are distinguished:
- Anseriformes. They are aquatic birds, with three toes attached to a membrane that allows them to swim. Ducks stand out.
- Passerines. Its limbs are usually small and singing, and have three toes back and one forward. Crows and rooks are the largest of this group.
- Strigiformes. Usually nocturnal birds, which usually take refuge during the day.
- Psittaciformes. It includes specimens with a curved beak, which have two fingers forward and the rest back. The most frequent are parrots.
- Columbiformes. They are good fliers and have a varied diet. Pigeons stand out.
- Piciformes. Varied fed, some of which feed on insects. Toucans and woodpeckers are part of this group.
- Falconiformes. They have powerful claws, they are highly valued in the sport of falconry.
- Struthioniformes. Flightless animals, usually larger than all other groups. The ostrich stands out.
- Galliformes. In some cases they cannot fly. Its legs have four toes, three forwards and one backwards.
Examples of birds
| Goose | Magpie | Condor |
| Owl | Swallow | Parrot |
| Koel | Tile | Secretary |
| Heron | Canary | Swan |
| Osprey | Puffin | Albatross |
| Tit | Carpenter | Peacock |
| Kingfisher | Toucan | Hawks |
| Finch | Raven | Swift |
| Flemish | Nighthawk | Owl |
| Macaw | Goldfinch | Penguin |
| Hen | Quetzal | Owl |
| Ostrich | Harrier | Rhea |
| Parakeet | Mosquito net | dove |
| Seagull | Eagles | Vulture |
| Sparrow | Pelican | Spatula |
| Kestrel | Cardinal | Hummingbird |
| Cockatoo | Duck |
Role of birds in nature
Birds have a importance particularly in the environment, because they are usually critical links within the great chains and networks of the ecosystem: this means that they have a very strong link with other nearby species, be they animals or even plants.
The birds are dispersing agents because they spread seeds of various plants, or even pollinate various producer plants. In addition, birds carry out biological controls, since they consume hundreds of insects, thus avoiding different pests.
How is the behavior of the birds?
Different questions of birds interested man since their coexistence on planet earth. The behaviour What they have includes the emission of some vocal sounds that have an appeal that has often been captured by men, who even perform singing competitions.
Furthermore, although birds were often thought to be of the lowest intelligence mammals, the visual and auditory senses they are very well developed in most of them. Finally, birds are used in the field of sport, particularly in falconry, which is the activity of hunting with birds of prey.