21. p. 455Extant Birds
- F. Harvey Pough, F. Harvey PoughProfessor Emeritus, Rochester Institute of Technology
- William E. Bemis, William E. BemisProfessor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Faculty Curator of Ichthyology, Cornell University
- Betty McguireBetty McguireSenior Lecturer, Cornell University
- , and Christine M. JanisChristine M. JanisProfessor Emerita of Biology, Brown University, USA, Honorary Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, UK
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the taxonomic diversity of extant birds. It shows how extant birds are divided into Paleognathae and Neognathae, in accordance with their palatal anatomy. The main characteristics of birds include flight at a structural level and diurnality and this has played a significant role in their lives. The chapter details the myriad structural specializations for flight, bipedalism, and feeding that have produced this diversity before considering sensory systems, reproduction, and behavior. It also looks into how declines in abundance can influence species-typical songs of birds, citing how declines in abundance occurred across all biomes aside from the wetlands.
