Birds

A bird's feathers are very similar to a reptile's scales. They are both made of this substance. 

• Dentin 
• Spicules
• Keratin
• Cartilage 

Which type of feather is responsible for covering and streamlining a bird's body?

• Filoplume
• Contour
• Down
• Tail

Why is it important for birds to digest their food quickly?

• If they absorb too much fat from their diet, they can impair their livers.
• If they take too long, they are susceptible to predators.
• They can't afford the extra weight in flight.
• They often swallow prey alive. Fast digestion ensures minimal injury to digestive system.

Birds are...

• endotherms

• ectotherms

Birds have their body covered with...

• 
• 
• 

Tags

CCSS.RI.1.5

CCSS.RI.2.5

CCSS.RI.K.5

CCSS.RI.3.5

CCSS.RI.4.5

Fossil of an animal that shows both reptile and bird characteristics

• Archaeopteryx

• Pterasaurs

• Pteradacyla

• Lobe-finned fish

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

stores and moistens food

• crop

• gizzard

• proventriculus

• cloaca

muscular pouch that grinds up food

• gizzard

• crop

• proventriculus

• cloaca

This is the opening at the end of bird and reptile bodies that is used for waste removal and reproduction

• cloaca

• intestines

• rectum

• syrinx

the act of using a special oil gland to groom and maintain feathers

• preening

• brushing

• binocular vision

• excreting