HeredityAdaptations in traits found in Birds

Drawing Lab

Science 7

Mr. Nigh

Darwin’s Finches adaptations Darwin's finches are an excellent example of the way in which species' gene pools

adapt for long term survival. Their beaks have evolved over time to be best suited to an important function—Food Acquisition

Adaptation: a characteristic of a species that allows members of that

species to survive in a particular environment

Beak Adaptations

Pouch likePouch like — can hold the fish it catches to eat

Pelican

Avocet

Long thinLong thin – can probe shallow water and mud for the insects it eats.

Pointed Pointed – can break and probe bark of trees for the insects it eats

Woodpecker

Curved Curved –– can tear solid tissue for the meat it eats

Hawk

Warbler Finch

Short, Stout Short, Stout – Can crack the seeds and nuts it eats

Hummingbird

Slender, long Slender, long – Can probe the flowers for nectar

Feet

Webbed Webbed – Aids in walking on slick rocks and swimming

Duck

Crane Heron

Long toes Long toes – Aids in walking in mud– Aids in walking in mud

Bald Eagle

Clawed Clawed – Can grasp food when hunting prey

Chicken

Grasping Grasping – Aid in sitting on ledges, roosting, and good protection

Legs

Ostrich

Long, Powerful Long, Powerful – Aids running ability

Great Blue Heron

Long, SlenderLong, Slender – Aids wading ability

Bald Eagle

Powerful Muscles Powerful Muscles – Aids lifting, carrying prey

Flexor tendons Flexor tendons – Aids in perching, grasping

Chickens

Wings

Peregrine Falcon

Large Wingspan – Aids soaring ability while hunting

Small, fast wings Small, fast wings -- Ability to hover near food source for maneuverability and quick getaway

Hummingbird

Objectives in Lab

• You will recognize that there are advantages for birds in looking the way that they do.

• You will recognize some of the ways in which birds are physically adapted to their environments

• Follow instructions given on lab sheet to construct a new species of bird perfectly adapted with characteristics from its evolutionary gene pool to not just survive, but thrive!!