Class Aves (Birds)
Some common characteristics of Class Aves (Birds):
Birds share several individual characteristics with other animals, though no other animal includes all of the characteristics mentioned above. Feathers and hollow bones are the most unique characteristics of the class.
- Vertebrate
- Have a Furcula (Wishbone), made from fused clavicles (collar bones)
- Have a keeled sternum (less pronounced in flightless birds)
- Pneumatic (hollow) bones to reduce weight
- Forelimbs modified into wings
- Bipedal (two-legged)
- Feathers covering body
- Oviparous - the lay eggs that develop outside the body
- Edentate (toothless), but they do possess a horny beak
- Warm blooded
Birds share several individual characteristics with other animals, though no other animal includes all of the characteristics mentioned above. Feathers and hollow bones are the most unique characteristics of the class.