Embedded Files
Beaks and limbs of birds vary in shapes and sized based on their habitats. Bird beaks are a specifically adapted for the food they eat. Based on environment factors, each bird species will have varying degrees of beak adaptations based on its food supply. This statement holds true to even sub-species of a given family (Ex: hummingbirds have varying degrees of beak adaptations exquisitely suitable for their corresponding habitats)
Limb adaptation enables the birds to navigate around its habitat without much effort. Its possible for certain species of birds to have multiple habitats and therefore require special adaptation for both environments (Ex: Pelicans have webbed feet for paddling in water, however they have strong toes to cling onto branches)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pelecaniformes
Family: Pelecanidae
Pelicans are highly skilled at filtering food from their aquatic environment using specially adapted beaks with pouches. The beak has special grooves at the edge to filter the water out while keeping the fish in. Once the water is squeezed out via muscular contraction of the membranous pouch, the pelican can swallow its meal or carry the contents to its nesting site. Large wings can also be used to create shady patches of water giving small fish a false sense of security. Once the fish gather in the shadows, the pelican scoops it using its beak and filtering out the water before swallowing.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Phoenicopteriformes
Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos have specially adapted beaks suitable for filtration at a more granular level than Pelicans. Its primary diet consists of shrimp and krill which it scoops using its specialized down-turned bill. Flamingo's are the only filter feeders birds present in the wild. By using its beak and tongue as a suction pump, its able to filter the shrimp and krill through its comb-like beak while feeding. Chemicals in the food supply eventually accumulate within the body fat and feathers causing them to stain pink. Large social gathering are very common as it enables better sighting of predators
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Scarlet Macaws eat primarily fruit and seeds. All Macaws possess the ability to break hard shells which are not suitable for any other bird.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse