What Is a Bird's Flight Adaptation?
Birds are the most diverse of the animal groups that can fly. There are many different types of adaptations that help individual species, but there are five that apply to all birds.
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Hollow Bones
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Birds have hollow bones filled with air sacs, which differs from all other animals. This adaptation makes the bird's skeletal system lightweight and easy to get in the air.
Skeletal Structure
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Avian bones also have a few structural adaptations that make them strong as well as lightweight. The "wishbone" structure, or furcula that's found in all birds, is the fusion clavicle bones. The structure acts as a brace during wing flapping. This structure has also been found in a division of dinosaurs called theropods, which is a major reason why they are linked to the evolution of birds. Other bones are fused, such as the wrist and phalanges (fingers), to further strengthen the furcula.
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Feathers
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Birds are the only animals with feathers. Some are used for insulation, called downy feathers. Contour feathers, the outer feathers, create a smooth surface for air to flow across during flight. Flight feathers are specific contour feathers found at the end of the wings and tail, and are the largest feathers on the bird. The wing feathers are sturdy and support the bird while it is flying, while the tail feathers prevent the bird from tilting and rocking in the air.
Flight Muscles
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Birds have specific muscles that help control the feathers during flight. The largest flight muscle is the pectoralis, which controls the wings' downstroke. The supracoracoideus muscle, which is much smaller than the pectoralis, controls the upstroke. The supracoracoideus can also provide power, if necessary, during rough flying times.
Respiratory System
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More oxygen is available to birds than other vertebrates due to a one-way respiratory system. As birds breathe, air goes into their lungs in only one direction, meaning there is always fresh new air traveling through and providing oxygen. This is an important adaptation for high flight endurance. The air sacs that extend into the bones of a bird help to move more oxygen through the bird as well, making for a very efficient respiratory system.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit bird in flight image by nutech21 from Fotolia.com
