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The scientific name of birds is Aves (Class). Birds are known as warm-blooded animals represented by their toothless beaks, hard-shelled eggs and feathers. The evolution of birds can be characterized by dinosaurs, especially by the evolution of a group of dinosaurs known as the theropods. Therapods were typically bipedal. There are almost ten thousand life forms of birds, among which more than half are passerine or perching birds.
Read More: Scientific Name of Common Myna
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Key Terms: Birds, Aves, Scientific Name, Genus, Vertebrates, Therapods, Omnivores, Taxonomy, Kingdom, Phylum
Scientific Name of Bird
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The scientific name of birds is Aves (class). Birds are warm-blooded vertebrates which are categorised by their wings, hard-shelled eggs, elevated metabolic rate, toothless jaws and a four-chambered heart. Birds can be found worldwide and only vary in size and measurement. While the bee hummingbird is 5.5 cm, an ostrich measures 2.8 m.
Bird Diagram
Classification of Aves
The class Aves can be further classified into two categories:
- Archaeornithes
- Neornithes
Archaeornithes
Archaeornithes is a class of birds which are now extinct. They had a toothed beak with a long lizard-like tail. One of the major examples of it is Archaeopteryx.
Neornithes
Neornithes vastly include both extant as well as extinct birds. Neornithes typically have no teeth and have short tails. Some examples include Grey Heron, Penguin, Kingfisher, Duck, and more.
Also Check: Biodiversity and Conservation
Parts of Birds
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Bird species were first classified and then approved in Linnaean taxonomy as the biological class Aves. The body parts of birds contain:
| Parts of Birds | Description |
|---|---|
| Head | The head, in a bird’s body parts, comprises field marks like eye lines, eye color, eye rings, eyebrows, and auricular patches. Some of the major parts of the head are also the crown, and nape which helps identify them. |
| Bill | The size, shape, and color of a bird's bill are vital to analyse. By checking the curvature or special markings in the bill, it can help identify the type of bird. |
| Throat | The throat of a bird can vary from the plumage, spots, or streaks. |
| Chin | The chin, which can be found below the bill, can be difficult to see but is a very crucial part that helps in the identification of birds. This is because the color of the chin can help determine the type of bird in case it is of a different color than the body. |
| Neck | The neck is one of the most common parts in wading birds and can be important to identify field marks. The size of the neck is important to differentiate between the numerous species of birds. |
| Chest | The chest is the upright portion found in a bird’s body. It is located between the throat and the belly. |
| Back | The different colours and markings which separate from the collar, rump and wings of a bird, along its back, is important for bird identification. |
| Abdomen | A bird's abdomen or belly is located from the bottom of the chest to the undertail shrouds. The markings and the color, on the abdomen, can vary from the chest and flanks of a bird. |
| Bird Wings | The upper limbs found in birds which are used for flight are known as the wings of birds. Some of the vital field markings to look for are the wing bars or bands. Also, the lengths of the bird wings relative to the length of the tail while the bird is perched. In-flight, another great field mark can be the shape of the wing. |
| Tail | The length, shape and color of a bird’s tail are vital birds body parts and for their identification. The different markings on the tail of birds when they are flying can further help identify the type and species. |
| Rump | The patch found the above the tail and on the lower back is known as the bird's rump. The rump, however, does not stick out for several birds, but there are species that do show distinct patches of rump color important for identification. |
| Legs | The leg’s thickness of a bird, which even though is often difficult to see in certain animals, has different field markings. For instance, certain raptors have large feathered legs that help recognize them. |
| Feet | The type and orientation of toes, talon size and how a bird handles its feet are key features that help bird identification. |
| Undertail Coverts | Undertail coverts can be defined as simple, small feathers found under the tail. Feathers like these exhibit unique and different colors or markings which help recognize different bird species. |
Among all birds, the wandering albatross is known to have the greatest wingspan, which is up to 3.5 metres (11.5 feet), while the trumpeter swan is known to have the greatest weight, which is 17 kg (37 pounds).
Characteristics of Birds
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Some of the important characteristics of birds are:
- Birds are known to be warm-blooded vertebrates.
- They have forelimbs which are further modified into wings.
- Birds have spongy, elastics lungs that help for respiration.
- Birds tend to have well-developed flight muscles which also help them while flying.
- Birds have hind limbs which are well suited for walking, hopping, grasping, perching, wading and swimming.
- Birds have epidermal scales on their legs.
Scientific Name of Select Birds
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Birds (Aves) are of different kinds. Some of the important scientific names of select birds are:
| Bird | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Kingfisher Bird Scientific Name | Alcedinidae (Family) |
| Pigeons and Dodos | Columbiformes |
| Kiwis & Extinct Birds | Apterygiformes |
| Scientific Name of Peacock (National Bird) | Pavo cristatus |
| Hummingbirds and Swifts | Apodiformes |
| Frogmouths, Nightjars, and Oilbirds | Caprimulgiformes |
| Waterfowl Birds | Anseriformes |
| Hornbills and Hoopoes | Coraciiformes |
There are a variety of birds with different scientific names, including but not limited to:
- Falcons (Falconiformes)
- Chickens and Turkeys (Galliformes)
- Cranes and Rails (Gruiformes)
- Loons (Gaviiformes)
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Previous Year Questions
- Read the statements given below and identify the incorrect statement… (KCET 2012)
- Which one of the following statements about certain given animals is correct?... (NEET 2010)
- Which of the following organisms possesses characteristics of a plant and an animal? (NEET 1995)
- Which one of the following is oviparous?... (NEET 2015)
- The process of growth is maximum during … (NEET 2020)
- Small mammals and birds are rarely found in polar regions … (KCET 2021)
- A biologist studied the population of rats in a barn … (NEET 2013)
- Bladderworm/cysticercus is the larval stage of… (NEET 1991)
- Edaphology is… (KCET 2007)
- Which of the following is not an attribute of a population … (NEET 2020)
- Which of the following taxonomic categories of housefly is… (KEAM)
- A sedentary sea anemone gets attached … (NEET 2013)
Also Check: Taxonomic Hierarchy of Plants and Animals
Things to Remember
- The scientific name of birds is Aves.
- The class Aves can be further classified into two categories: Archaeornithes and Neornithes.
- The wandering albatross has the greatest wingspan, which is up to about 3.5 metres (11.5 feet).
- There are about ten thousand life forms of birds, among which over half are passerine or perching birds.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the scientific name for birds? [1 mark]
Ans. The scientific name for birds is Aves.
Ques. What is the scientific name of Flamingos? [1 mark]
Ans. The scientific name of Flamingoes is Phoenicopteriformes.
Ques. Define Neornithes. [2 marks]
Ans. Neornithes are known to include both extant as well as extinct birds. It is a taxonomic infraclass which can be found within the class Aves. Neornithes typically have no teeth and have a short tail. Some examples include, Grey Heron, Penguin, Kingfisher, Duck, and more.
Ques. Write three characteristics of birds. [3 marks]
Ans. Three major characteristics of birds include:
- Birds have a four-chambered heart.
- Birds typically contain RBCs which are oval, nucleated and biconvex.
- There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves.
Ques. What is the scientific name of Hummingbirds and Swifts? [1 mark]
Ans. The scientific name of Hummingbirds and Swifts is Apodiformes.
Ques. Which phylum do Aves belong from? [1 mark]
Ans. Aves belong from the phylum Chordata under the animal kingdom and has almost 9,000 species.
Ques. List an example of Archaeornithes. [1 mark]
Ans. One major example of the Archaeornithes is Archaeopteryx.
Ques. What is smallest living bird? [1 mark]
Ans. The smallest living bird today is the bee hummingbird.
Ques. Write a short note on the feathers of a bird. [3 marks]
Ans. Feathers can be found on only the living species of bird. Thus, feathers cannot be found in any other class of animals. Feathers are one of the major distinguishing qualities of Aves. Feathers are composed of keratin, which is the substance that shapes hair and nails in other animals. Feathers typically have very heavily modified scales. Feathers are not just important for the purpose of flight, but for providing warmth and weather protection to birds (aves). Feathers of every species of bird also help attract males to mate.
Ques. What is the scientific name of the following birds? [5 marks]
a. Shorebirds
b. Waterfowl Birds
c. Seriemas
d. Emus and Cassowaries
e. Herons, Storks, and Vultures.
Ans. The scientific name of the following birds are:
- Shorebirds (Charadriiformes)
- Waterfowl Birds (Anseriformes)
- Seriemas (Cariamiformes)
- Emus and Cassowaries (Casuariiformes)
- Herons, Storks, and Vultures (Ciconiiformes)
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