Birds+Inside

=Flight is much more than just feathers and wings...=

Every aspect of a bird's body, both inside and out, relates to the forces of flight. It's all very interesting...
ysm.research.yale.edu || =Body Shape= . || || =Eyes and Ears=
 * [[image:bird33.jpg width="309" height="230"]]
 * ====the entire shape of the bird is streamlined to reduce **drag**====
 * ====wings are shaped like airfoils for **lift**====
 * ====legs are withdrawn into body-bays during flight to reduce **drag**====
 * ====small skulls and pointed beaks reduce **drag** and increase **thrust**==== ||
 * [[image:bird_egg.jpg width="339" height="248"]] || =The Reproductive system=
 * ====bird babies grow outside the body====
 * ====egg formation only takes 26 hours====
 * ====as soon as the egg is made it is laid====
 * ====egg laying outside the body reduces the bird's **weight**==== ||
 * [[image:bird31.jpg width="343" height="228"]] || =Muscular system=
 * ====fewer muscles for **weight** reduction====
 * ====wing muscles are replaced by lighter, stronger tendons on fused bone joints for easy movement and less **weight**====
 * ====the biggest muscles are in the chest, closest to the bird's **centre of gravity**.==== ||
 * [[image:bird32.jpg width="330" height="227"]] || =Body Organs=
 * ====all organs operate at high speed to produce energy for flight====
 * ====food must be light weight and high in calories to produce energy quickly====
 * ====birds can "eat and run" because the wall of the food pipe is extra thin and stretches so food doesn't need to be chewed====
 * ====it has very strong stomach acids for quick digestion - takes only 20 minutes====
 * ====has a gizzard with powerful muscles for mixing and crashing====
 * ====birds have no teeth so swall ow small stones for the gizzard-grinding====
 * ====No waste-storage organs - body waste is passed out immediately====
 * ====a larger heart with a faster beat means greater pumping for faster energy during take-off and landing====
 * ====blood with a very high concentration of oxygen====
 * ====lungs work faster with extra air space in air sacs around the body====
 * ====birds don't breathe out so they don't need a heavy diaphragm====
 * ====birds never run out of breath; instead they fly into breath====
 * [[image:bird34.jpg width="341" height="194"]] || =Bird Brains=
 * ====bird brains are smaller than most mammals====
 * ====the part of the brain to do with sight and sound is larger to process information quickly during high-speed flight and for accurate landings====
 * ====bird brains are housed in super-light skulls to reduce **weight**==== ||
 * [[image:bird35.jpg width="224" height="176" align="center"]]
 * ====eyes are so important and large they weigh more than the brain====
 * ====eyes of the side of the head increase the bird's field of vision====
 * ====flatter eyeballs mean they can see more things at one time in focus====
 * ====eye muscles are quicker and stronger and lenses are softer for rapid change of focus====
 * ====a third eyelid cleans the eye like a windscreen wiper during flight====
 * ====a well developed sense of hearing controlling balance during flight==== ||