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The birds are vertebrate animals, whose main characteristic is to have the wing-shaped modified forelimbs, which in most cases allows it to fly. In addition, they have hind limbs, which gives them the ability to walk, jump, and stand. They have a body that can vary completely in sizes, ranging from 6.5 centimeters to 2.74 meters.
Some of the characteristics common to all birds are the streamlined body or thin and powerful muscles. Also, in your heart, two atria and two ventricles can differentiate, and your skin lacks glands. Another common characteristic is regarding the glands, because at the base of the tail its only two uropygial glands are located, which secrete an odorous and fatty substance.
Classification
On the other hand, many of its characteristics are different depending on the type of bird. Based on this, groups are distinguished:
- Anseriformes: They are aquatic birds, with three toes attached to a membrane that allows them to swim. Ducks stand out.
- Passerines: Its members are usually small and singing, and have three fingers back and one forward. Crows and rooks are the largest of this group.
- Strigiformes: Birds usually nocturnal, which usually take refuge during the day.
- Psittaciformes: Includes specimens with a curved beak, which have two fingers forward and the rest backward. The most frequent are parrots.
- Columbiformes: They are good fliers and have a varied diet. Pigeons stand out.
- Piciformes: Varied fed, some of which feed on insects. Toucans and woodpeckers are part of this group.
- Falconiformes: They have powerful claws, they are highly valued in the sport of falconry.
- Struthioniformes: Flightless animals, usually larger than all other groups. The ostrich stands out.
- Galliformes: In some cases they cannot fly. Its legs have four toes, three forwards and one backwards.
Examples of birds
| Goose | Magpie | Condor |
| Owl | Swallow | Parrot |
| Koel | Tile | Secretary |
| Heron | Canary | Swan |
| Osprey | Puffin | Albatross |
| Tit | Carpenter | Peacock |
| Kingfisher | Toucan | Hawks |
| Finch | Raven | Swift |
| Flemish | Nighthawk | Owl |
| Macaw | Goldfinch | Penguin |
| Chicken | Quetzal | Owl |
| Ostrich | Harrier | Rhea |
| Parakeet | Mosquito net | dove |
| Seagull | Eagles | Vulture |
| Sparrow | Pelican | Spatula |
| Kestrel | Cardinal | Hummingbird |
| Cockatoo | Duck |
Role of birds in nature
The birds They have a particular importance in the environment, because they are usually critical links within the great chains and networks of the ecosystem: this means that they have a very strong link with other nearby species, be they animals or even plants.
The birds are dispersing agents because they spread seeds of various plants, or even pollinate various producer plants. In addition, birds perform biological controls, since they consume hundreds of insects, thus avoiding different pests.
How is their behavior?
Different questions of birds interested man since their coexistence on planet earth. Their behavior includes the emission of some vocal sounds They have an appeal that has many times been captured by men, who even perform singing competitions.
Furthermore, although birds were often thought to be among the most inferior mammals in intelligence, the visual and auditory senses are very well developed in most of them. Finally, birds are used in the field of sport, particularly in falconry, which is the activity of hunting with birds of prey.
