An analogous structure is a physical trait that serves a similar function to another physical trait, but evolved independently. Birds’ wings and insects’ wings are a classic example of analogous structures. Though they appear similar and serve the flight function, they evolved independently in the two groups. Birds are vertebrates while insects are invertebrates, meaning wings evolved separately in each lineage. There are many analogous structures that have evolved in the animal kingdom beyond wings, which we will explore in this article. What is an analogous structure? An analogous structure is a physical trait that is similar in two species…
Author: Peter Knight
Bird scooters are those electric standup scooters you see littered on sidewalks and street corners in cities across the US. They represent a new trend in urban transportation known as micro-mobility. Users locate and unlock Bird scooters using a mobile app and pay by the minute to ride them. When finished, they leave the scooter wherever they end their trip for the next person to use. Bird launched the scooter sharing service in 2017 and quickly became one of the largest micro-mobility companies. They currently operate in over 150 cities globally with fleets totaling over 60,000 scooters. Bird’s scooters have…
Oliver, British Columbia is considered the wine capital of Canada for several key reasons. Firstly, Oliver is located in the south Okanagan Valley, which provides an ideal climate for growing grapes with its sunny, hot summers and mild winters. The area has a desert-like climate, being the only desert area in Canada. This allows grapes to ripen fully and develop complex flavors. Secondly, Oliver has a long history of grape growing and winemaking dating back to the early 20th century. Some of the first vines were planted by Italian immigrants who recognized the area’s potential for quality wine production. Thirdly,…
Quick Answers The main differences between the avian heart and the human heart are: Birds have a 4-chambered heart while humans have a 2-chambered heart The avian heart has complete separation between oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, while the human heart has some mixing Birds have multiple aortas leaving the heart, humans have only one Birds have nucleated red blood cells, humans have non-nucleated red blood cells The avian heart beats much faster than the human heart Anatomy and Structure Both the avian heart and the human heart are responsible for pumping blood throughout the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients.…
Shearwaters are a group of seabirds in the family Procellariidae. There are around 30 species of shearwaters found across the world’s oceans. Some of the most well-known species include the Manx shearwater, sooty shearwater, short-tailed shearwater, and flesh-footed shearwater. What do shearwaters look like? Shearwaters are medium to large seabirds with long, narrow wings. Their bodies are streamlined which allows them to glide low over the ocean when hunting for food. Most species have dark plumage on their back and upperwings that contrasts with their white undersides. This countershading camouflages them from predators when viewed from above or below. They…
Determining the origin of domesticated chickens is a difficult task due to the bird’s long history and widespread domestication across the world. However, most evidence points to Southeast Asia as the primary region where chickens were first domesticated from wild ancestors like the red junglefowl. Countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and China have the longest associations with keeping chickens, though the exact timeline is debated. Regardless of which country has the strongest claim, it’s clear that chickens emerged as a human food source thousands of years ago in Asia before spreading across the globe. Background on Chicken Domestication The chicken…
Birds of Prey, also known as Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey, is a 2020 American superhero film based on the DC Comics team the Birds of Prey. It is the eighth film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and a spin-off sequel to Suicide Squad (2016). The film was directed by Cathy Yan and written by Christina Hodson. It stars Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, reprising her role from Suicide Squad, alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Chris Messina as Victor Zsasz, and Ewan McGregor as Black Mask. Birds of…
Birds, like most animals, don’t actually have degrees. However, people sometimes use the term “degree” informally when referring to a group or classification of birds. There are a few common ways “degree” is used in relation to birds: Scientific classification In scientific classification, birds are part of the class Aves. Within this class, there are many orders, families, genera, and species of birds. So a “degree” may informally refer to these scientific groupings. For example, all bird species belong to the class Aves. Within Aves, there are orders like Passeriformes (perching birds) and Galliformes (gamebirds). Orders are then divided into…
The canvasback duck (Aythya valisineria) is a species of diving duck found in North America. It gets its name from the coloration and texture of its back and wings, which resemble canvas fabric. Naming and Classification The canvasback belongs to the genus Aythya in the family Anatidae. This family contains ducks, geese, and swans. The species name valisineria refers to one of the canvasback’s preferred foods, wild celery (Vallisneria americana). The canvasback was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae. Linnaeus gave it the binomial name Anas valisineria. In 1822, William…
Palm trees produce large, nutritious seeds that are an important food source for many species of birds. Determining exactly which birds eat palm seeds requires an understanding of palm tree distribution, palm seed anatomy, and the behavioral and anatomical adaptations of different bird species. Palm Tree Distribution There are over 2,600 species of palm trees, most of which are restricted to tropical and subtropical environments. Palm trees produce seeds enclosed in fleshy fruits that vary widely in size, color, and fiber content depending on the species. The abundant seeds contained within these fruits are rich in oils and carbohydrates, making…