Birds and Mammals
Birds
General Characteristics
Birds are warm-blooded vertebrates
Body temperature remains constant
Skeleton
Neck vertebrae are flexible
Other vertebrae are fused into a rigid structure
This rigidity helps support powerful wing muscles for flight
Body Covering
Body is covered with feathers
Legs and toes are covered with scales
Types of Feathers
Down feathers – soft, fluffy; provide insulation
Contour feathers – give shape and colour
Quill feathers – large wing feathers; essential for flight
Limbs
Four limbs present
Forelimbs modified into wings
Feet have four toes with claws
Used for perching, scratching, or catching prey
Beak
Upper and lower jaws form a beak
Used for different feeding methods depending on species
Reproduction
Internal fertilisation
Lay hard-shelled eggs
Eggs are incubated in a nest
Mammals
General Characteristics
Mammals are warm-blooded vertebrates
Have four limbs
Body covered with hair, not feathers
Unique Features
Presence of a diaphragm (helps in breathing)
Have mammary glands
Feeding of Young
Young are fed with milk
Milk contains all essential nutrients for early growth
Reproduction
Internal fertilisation
Give birth to live, fully formed young
Development occurs in the uterus
Young Mammals
Some are born helpless (e.g. cats)
Some can stand and move soon after birth (e.g. sheep, goats)
First food is always mother’s milk
Parental Care
Young later eat the same food as parents
In carnivores, parents bring food until young can hunt
Example
Humans are mammals