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Birds are the Most Active Creatures

© Mazhar Ali

No doubt birds are the most active creatures and their success of life has been largely due to the great variety and ingenuity, displayed in finding suitable situations for getting food and allowing reproduction.

Their ability to fly gives greater opportunity to seek food, escape enemies and make long migrations possible.

Despite the ability to fly they conform to the laws of animal distribution and each specie occupies a definite geographic range and particular kind of habitat. They live in all sorts of habitats, such as mountains, lowlands, forests, fresh-water or seawater.

Class Aves includes all kinds of birds. Scientists have divided the class Aves into around 25 to 30 orders. Each order is subdivided into families of related genera and species. Different birds are grouped together according to their similar structural characteristics of their anatomy and similarities in the genetic material.

These are the homiothermic animals with high temperature and high rate of metabolism .The body is covered with feathers which are not only concerned with the flight but also make possible the maintenance of the high body temperature.The forelimbs are modified into wings for flight. The hindlimbs are large,strong and in them there has been considerable fusion of bones. These are meant for walking, perching or swimming. Other characteristics of modern birds include Scales on feet; four chambered hearts egg lying; clavicles united as furculum no teeth and warm bloodedness.

Birds usually live and hunt alone. Quails, ducks, Robbins scatter in pairs to nest, but at other seasons; while some seafowl, pigeons and blackbirds always live in companies. The high and regulated body temperature, great activity and their lightweight requires large amount of food of high-energy value, so different species have adapted themselves to different kinds of food. Where the food is limited alternate food is accepted only if there is a danger of starvation. Young birds quickly learn from experience where and how food can be obtained. Great mobility has made it necessary for birds to develop specific means of recognition of their fellows, their mates, enemies and other competitors from this power an elaborate social life has developed in many species. Their breeding habits are especially characteristic. Perhaps in no other creatures, except man, an elaborate behavior in courtship, nesting and caring for young is so well developed. The breeding is nearly always seasonal. Production of secondary sexual characteristics, of the plumage and song are the two important features of display and courtship.

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