Birds

1. Birds

4. The evolutionary origin of birds has always been a subject of considerable debate. Birds and flying reptiles have delicate, lightweight skeletons which do not fossilize well - hindering studies on how the birds evolved. The first bird fossil to be found was a feather, which was discovered in 1860 in a limestone quarry in Bavaria. The feather was given the name Archaeopteryx, which is Greek for 'ancient feather'. A year later an almost complete skeleton of Archaeopteryx was discovered in the same quarry, with the feathers and other fine structures preserved in minute detail.

5. The skeleton showed several features which are intermediate between reptiles and birds, suggesting that Archaeopteryx and the other birds evolved from a dinosaur similar to the Velociraptor featured in the film 'Jurassic Park'. Seven partial or complete Archaeopteryx skeletons have now been found, and they are still among the most famous, and scientifically valuable, fossils.

9. Feathers make the bird

19. Alabama Birds Checklist of Alabama Birds - Geographical & Seasonal Distribution Alabama Ornithological Society

20. Order Gaviiformes Loons Specialized for swimming and diving. Come ashore only to breed. In flight, head lower than body. Wingbeats fast. Eat fish, crustaceans, some water plants.

21. Common loon – Gavia immer

22. Order Podicipediformes Grebes Swimming and diving birds, smaller than loons. Flat lobes on toes. Short legs far back on body. Flight weak and hurried. Taxi before becoming airborne. Dive and pursue aquatic animals.

23. Pied-billed grebe – Podilymbus podiceps

24. Order Pelecaniformes Pelicans and their Allies Large, aquatic fish-eating birds with all four toes webbed. Most nest in large colonies and are silent outside breeding grounds.

25. American white pelican – Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

27. White pelicans in flight.

29. Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

30. Brown pelican diving For fish.

31. Double-crested cormorant – Phalacrocorax auritus

32. Double-crested cormorant

33. Anghinga (snake bird) – Anhinga anhinga

34. Order Anseriformes Waterfowl Aquatic, with webs between the three front toes. Long necks and narrow pointed wings. Flattened bills with tooth-like edges that serve as strainers.

35. Geese Subfamily Anserinae Tribe Anserini

36. Canada goose – Branta canadensis

40. Snow goose – Chen caerulescens

41. Surface-feeding Ducks (Dabblers) Subfamily Anserinae Tribe Anatini

42. Mallard – Anas platyrhynchos

43. Winter Distribution Summer Distribution

44. Pintail – Anas acuta

46. Blue-winged teal Anas discors

47. Blue-winged teal

49. Green-winged teal – Anas crecca