Bird+Bodies

=Light as a Bird...=

First, let's examine at its **skeleton**...


=Light and Strong=

body getting compressed or squashed under the powerful forward **thrust** force.
http://www.hsu.edu
 * ====[[image:bone4.jpg width="354" height="215"]]====

Struts add strength to allow **thrust** without bone damage.
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increase strength for **thrust.**
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Check out the Allen Centre's bird bones to find some special flight technology...
Photos:www.hsu.edu
 * [[image:bird6.jpg align="center"]]

Fewer muscles reduces **weight**.
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by the body.
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the flight stroke//.//
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 * [[image:bird5.jpg width="290" height="197"]]

to steer the bird during flight.
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under **thrust.**
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the larger the keel.
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The Skull

 * [[image:bird12.gif]] || * ====The skull is usually only 1% of the bird's body weight.====
 * ====Paper thin and hollow bones to reduce **weight.**====
 * ====No heavy jaw, jaw muscles and teeth reduce **weight.**====
 * ====Huge eye sockets for specialized eyes.====
 * ====Eyes have to transmit information very quickly and====

accurately during high speed flight.

 * ====Some birds' eyes are so large they weigh more than their brain.====
 * ====Side placement of eyes increases the field of vision but because====

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The Wing Bones

 * [[image:bird2.jpg width="509" height="335" align="center"]]

Forelimb or wing bones:

 * ====Hand bones are small, fused and flat for strength.====
 * ====The shape and movement of wing bones are designed to move feathers in====

special ways during **lift** and flight.

 * ====The streamlined shape of the bones provides **lift** and **thrust.**====
 * ====The alula (part of the thumb) is used to adjust **lift.**====
 * ====The alula and its feathers can be adjusted to make a small slot along the edge====

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times (A,B,C) to modern times (D)
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 * ==Dissect a Chicken Wing - Collect your own set of bones==