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Flight and Migration

Flight and Migration. “If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.” - Charles A. Lindbergh. Feathers. Modified from epidermis – lots of keratin protein (as in scales, nails, skin, hair) Function: Insulation Flight Regulate body heat (endotherms) Sexual display.

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Flight and Migration

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  1. Flight and Migration “If I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.” - Charles A. Lindbergh

  2. Feathers • Modified from epidermis – lots of keratin protein (as in scales, nails, skin, hair) • Function: • Insulation • Flight • Regulate body heat (endotherms) • Sexual display

  3. Types of Feathers • Down - irregular shape (dead air space) • Contour - give body a smooth, aerodynamic shape - some are specialized specifically for flight

  4. Feather Structure

  5. Molting • Feathers are a dead structure (analogous to hair in humans) • Molting essential to replace worn feathers • Kinds of molts • Complete (patchy look) • Partial (gradual) * Molt 1-2 times/year (lots of energy spent)

  6. Migration • Migration = the regular, seasonal shift of birds from one region to another (Instinctive) • Origins of migration: • Glacial era • Ancestral home in tropics • Went north to avoid crowding when breeding • Stimulus to start migration (“Biological Clock”) • Inherent in hormones, related to length of daylight

  7. Why Migrate? • Adequate supply of food (or enough daylight to find it) • Favorable climate in which to live • less stress on thermoregulation and young • Most migrations are latitudinal (N-S) • Some permanent residents – tropical birds • Some far north to far south (ex. Artic Tern 11,000 miles one way!!)

  8. Factors Used for Navigation • Topographical features • Position of sun (starlings and pigeons) • Star patterns • Magnetic fields • Prevailing winds • Sounds and smells

  9. Routes • Well established flyways • Blue Goose (James Bay Louisiana 5,000 km nonstop) • Ruby Throated Hummingbird (1000 km across Gulf of Mexico * Arrivals are often very precise and can range from slow (4 months) to fast (several weeks)

  10. Routes

  11. Hazards to Migration • Hunters • Planes • New predators • Storms • Population densities

  12. Studying Migration • Tagging/banding • Radar

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