EXERCISE 14 AVES: OBSERVATIONS AND

CLASSIFICATION OF
SPECIMENS
Structure
14.1 Introduction
Objectives
14.2 Material Required
14.3 General Characters and Classification of Aves
14.4 Observation of Museum Specimens
Milvus migrans
Bubo bubo
Dicrurus adsimilis
Dendrocopos mehrattensis
Psittacula eupatria
Eudynamys scolopacea
14.5 Terminal Questions

14.1 INTRODUCTION
Birds occupy all continents, oceans and islands, penetrating the Arctic and the
Antarctic and live from sea level to above timberline on the Everest. They are
well adapted to migratory habits. They are the best known and most easily
recognised animals being unique in having feathers for flying and also cover
to insulate their bodies and provide them with distinctive colouration. The body
weight is reduced for flight by elimination of some bones and fusion of others
and by presence of some air filled cavities and spaces in many bones. High
metabolic rate, and raised body temperature, strong flight muscles and
advanced respiratory mechanism with air sacs and lungs provide necessary
strength for the flight. They have highly developed voice, sight and hearing but
poor sense of smell.

Class Aves is made up of 28 orders of living birds and a few fossil orders.
More than 9600 species have been named so far and only a few species
remain to be discovered. Of the 28 orders, four or five (depending on the
classification system) are ratitae or flightless birds, the remaining orders are
carinate birds with keeled sternum. In this exercise you will observe and
classify some representative specimens of class Aves.

You are advised to come prepared for this exercise by reading Unit 16 of
Block 4, Animal Diversity course. In this exercise you will study six common
birds from different orders.

Objectives
After completing this exercise you will be able to:

• identify and give scientific and common names of some of the avian
species,

• classify the identified genera upto the level of order,

• list the characters justifying the classification of the identified specimens Aves: Observations
and Classification of
and mention special features if any, Specimens
• mention the habitat and geographical distribution,

• draw labeled diagram of each of the identified genera, and

• mention the economic importance if any, of each of the given genera.

14.2 MATERIAL REQUIRED

1. Stuffed specimens of:

Kite (Milvus migrans)

Owl (Bubo bubo)

Drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis)

Woodpecker (Dendrocopos mehrattensis)

Large Indian parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)

Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea)

2. Hand lens.

In the absence of stuffed specimens good large sized photographs may be

provided.

14.3 GENERAL CHARACTERS AND

CLASSIFICATION OF AVES
Let us recall the general characters that distinguish class Aves from all other
classes.

i) Endothermic tetrapod vertebrates with feathers.

ii) Forelimbs modified into wings each bearing three digits and feathers for
flight.

iii) The hindlimbs are modified for walking, perching or swimming and bear
four toes.

iv) No glands in the skin except for oil gland in the tail.

v) Bones are strong fully ossified, though light, provided with air cavities.

vi) Skull bones fused, bearing single occipital condyle as in reptiles. This
makes it possible for birds to rotate their heads almost 180°.

vii) Modern birds have no teeth, only horny beak is present.

viii) Pelvis is fused to many vertebrae but open ventrally, small ribs with
strengthening processes; sternum is broad, well developed usually with
median keel or reduced with no keel; flight muscles attached to keel.

187
 Animal Diversity: ix) The sacral vertebrae are fused with lumber, last thoracic and last caudal
Laboratory
vertebrae to form synsacrum.

x) Posterior caudal vertebrae fused to form pygostyle.

xi) Gullet has crop to store food, muscular gizzard in the stomach to
masticate food.

xii) Lungs spongy, attached to air sacs that extend into various parts of the
body.

xiii) Voice produced by syrinx situated at the junction of the trachea and the
bronchioles.

xiv) Heart four chambered.

Classification

Class Aves comprises two sub-classes.

Subclass Achaeornithes: Ancestral birds of the late Jurassic and early

Cretaceous period. They retain many reptilian features including jaws with
teeth, a long tail, unfused carpals and metacarpals, and three fingers, each
bearing a claw. Archaeopteryx.

Subclass Neornithes: Extinct and living birds. Birds with well developed
sternum usually with keel. Tail reduced with reduced number of caudal
vertebra; metacarpals and some carpals are fused together; the three fingers
are reouced and clawless. Birds of Cretaceous to recent times are
represented by the following 3 super orders.

Superorder Odontognathae: Cretaceous birds retaining teeth. Hesperornis,

Ichthyornis.

Superorder Paleognathae: Modern birds without teeth, but retaining a

primitive archosaurian palate. The ratites (with unkeeled sternum) and
tinamous (with keeled sternum).

Superorder Neognathae: Modern toothless birds with a flexible palate. (We

are following Olson [1985] in listing neognathous bird orders by phylogenetic
position and major adaptive radiations rather than in the usual linear sequence
from aquatic through terrestrial groups.)

14.4 OBSERVATION OF MUSEUM SPECIMENS

Look at the given specimens of birds carefully, use the hand lens wherever
you need to see any details and note down all the characters. Compare your
observations with the characters given in the text as you draw the given
specimen.

14.4.1 Milvus migrans

Special Characters

i) Pariah kite or Milvus is a large bird about 45-60 cm in length.

188
ii) The plumage is reddish brown streaked with dark brown in both the Aves: Observations
and Classification of
sexes. Specimens
iii) It is distinguished from all similar birds by its forked tail.

iv) The toes are elongated bearing sharp pointed claws for grasping and
capturing.

v) The beak is sharp pointed and hooked, very well adapted for tearing the
flesh of the prey.

Fig. 14.1: Milvus migrans.

Habit and Habitat

Milvus is largely a scavenger bird feeding on rodent pests, reptiles, small

birds, earthworms and garbage etc. It can be seen soaring around villages
and towns at all times. It boldly swoops down to snatch food from the busiest
street or market.

Geographical Distribution: Milvus is found throughout India, Pakistan,

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Classification and its Justification

Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells

that lack a cell wall, many capable of
movement or movement of some of their body
parts or capable of movement at some time of
their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition.

Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and

paired gill slits present.

Group Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column;

(Craniata) two pairs of appendages; circulatory
system closed; hepatic portal system
present; RBCs present in blood.

Class Aves Endothermic with feathers; forelimbs

modified into wings, claws absent; hind
189
 Animal Diversity: limbs adapted for climbing, perching or
Laboratory
swimming; skull with single occipital
condyle; beak present; sternum well
developed; amniotic; oviparous.

Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metacarpal

fused with distal carpals to form
carpometacarpals; sternum well developed
with keel.

Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with interlocking

mechanism; wings well developed.

Order Accipitriformes Beak short and curved at the tip; mandibles

sharp-edged; feet with sharp curved claws;
diurnal strong flier.

Genus Milvus

Species migrans

Common Black Kite

Name

14.4.2 Bubo bubo

Special Characters

i) Barn owl is a large and robust bird, measuring upto 60cm in length.

ii) Beak is short sharp and decurved and adopted for tearing and piercing.

iii) The colour is dark brown streaked with tawny buff and black.

iv) The head is large and has two black ear tufts or horns.
v) The eyes are large, round and directed forwards.
vi) The legs are fully feathered.
vii) Feet adapted for grasping and claws sharp pointed.

190 Fig. 14.2: Bubo bubo.

Habit and Habitat Aves: Observations
and Classification of
Barn owl is nocturnal but can be seen frequently during the day time. It spends Specimens
the day resting on the ground under the shelter of a bush or on some shady
projection of a rock near a river. Its food consists of small mammals, birds,
lizards, and other reptiles; also feeds on small insects as well as on fish or
crabs. Best known for its deep double hoot.

Geographical Distribution : Barn owl is found throughout India, Pakistan and

Myanmar.

Economic Importance

The barn owl is a farmer’s friend, for it kills a large number of crop pests like
rodents and other vermin. It deserves the strictest protection.
Classification with Justification
Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells
that lack a cell wall, many capable of
movement or movement of some of their body
parts or capable of movement at some time of
their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition.

Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and

pharyngeal gill slits present.

Subphylum Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column;

two pairs of appendages; circulatory
system closed; hepatic portal system
present; RBCs present in blood.

Class Aves Endothermic (warm blooded) with feathers;

forelimbs modified into wings, claws
absent; hind limbs adapted for climbing,
perching or swimming; skull with single
occipital condyle; beak present; sternum
well developed; amniotic; oviparous.

Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metacarpal

fused with distal carpals to form
carpometacarpals; sternum well developed
with keel.

Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with

interlocking mechanism; wings well
developed.

Order Strigiformes Eyes large, directed forwards.

Genus Bubo

Species bubo

Common Barn owl,

Name Great-horned
owl, ghughu, Ulloo 191
 Animal Diversity: 14.4.3 Dicrurus adsimilis
Laboratory
Characters

i) Drongo is smaller and slimmer than the crow, about 28cm in size.

ii) The body is covered with shining jet black feathers.

iii) The long tail is so deeply forked that the two ends point in different
directions and look like scissors therefore it is sometimes called as
scissor tail bird.

iv) The bill is small but sharply hooked and the eyes are red.

v) Quite often the bird is found perching on telegraphic wire, hence called
telegraphic bird.

Fig. 14.3: Black drongo, Dicrurus adsimilis.

Habit and Habitat

Drongo is commonly seen in the open country side around cultivation,

perched on telegraph wires, fence posts, bush tops. The bird is very bold in
defense of its nest, attacking and driving off birds as big as kites and crows.Its
only food is insects, therefore plays a very important role in keeping down the
insect pest population.

Geographical Distribution: It is quite common in the Indian Peninsula, China

and Java.

Classification and Justification

192 Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells

 that lack a cell wall, many capable of Aves: Observations
and Classification of
movement or movement of some of their Specimens
body parts or capable of movement at
some time of their life cycle; heterotrophic
nutrition.

Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and

pharyngeal gill slits present.

Subphylum Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column;

two pairs of appendages; circulatory
system closed; hepatic portal system
present; RBCs present in blood.

Class Aves Endothermic (warm blooded) with feathers;

forelimbs modified into wings, claws
absent; hind limbs adapted for climbings
perching or swimming; skull with single
occipital condyle; beak present; sternum
well developed; amniotic; oviparous.

Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metcarpal

fused with distal carpals to form
carpometacarpals; sternum well developed

Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with

interlocking mechanism; wings well
developed.

Order Passeriformes Because feet adapted for perching on

trees and stones, highly developed syrinx.
Genus Dicrurus

Species adsimilis

Common Bhujanga,
Name kotwal, Black
drongo,
telegraphic bird,
scissor, tail-bird.

14.4.4 Dendrocopos mehrattensis

Characters

i) Dendrocopos is a small woodpecker about the size of a bulbul (15 cm).

ii) The upper plumage is irregularly spotted black and white with brownish
yellow forecrown and scarlet crest.

iii) The under parts are whitish, streaked with brown on the breast and
flanks with a scarlet crimson patch on the abdomen and under the tail.
The female lacks the scarlet on the crown.

iv) The tail is stiff and wedge shaped and the tail feathers are pointed at the
tips. 193
 Animal Diversity: v) The feet are zygodactylus, that is, two of the toes are directed forwards
Laboratory
and two directed backwards,well developed for climbing on tree trunks.

vi) A highly specialized chisel like bill for boring into wood to extract insects
and excavate nest hole.

vii) Tongue is protrusible and roughened with barbs near the tip to extract
insects and grubs from cracks and bark of the tree trunks.

(a)

(b)

Fig. 14.4: Dendrocopos a) male and b) female.

Habit and Habitat

Dendrocopos lives in pairs; inhabiting light scrub in country side, thin forest,
mango orchards and other leafy trees. It bores neat nest holes often quite low
down on a tree – trunk or branch.

Geographical Distribution: Dendrocopos is widely distributed in the Indian

Peninsula.

Classification and its Justification

Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells

that lack a cell wall, many capable of
movement or movement of some of their body
parts or capable of movement at some time of
their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition.

Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and

pharyngeal gill slits present.

Subphylum Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column;

two pairs of appendages; circulatory
system closed; hepatic portal system
present; RBCs present in blood.

Class Aves Endothermic (warm blooded) with feathers;

forelimbs modified into wings, claws
194 absent; hind limbs adapted for climbing,
 perching or swimming; skull with single Aves: Observations
and Classification of
occipital condyle; beak present; sternum Specimens
well developed; amniotic; oviparous.

Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metcarpal

fused with distal carpals to form
carpometacarpals; sternum well developed
with keel.

Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with interlocking

mechanism; wings well developed.

Order Piciformes because of the highly specialized beak

and two toes facing forward and two toes
facing backwards.

Genus Dendrocopos

Species mehrattensis

Common Woodpecker,
Name kathphurwa

14.4.5 Psittacula eupatria

Characters

i) The large Indian parakeet is about the size of a pigeon (approximately

33 cm), with a slender body and long pointed tail.

ii) The body is covered with a brilliant grass green plumage with some
bluish colour in the wing and tail feathers.

iii) The female is green all over but the male has a rose pink collar and a
black throat.

iv) Wings are well developed and feathers have interlocking mechanism.

Fig. 14.5: Indian parakeet male and female. 195

 Animal Diversity: v) The beak is short stout, broad at the base, sharply hooked and coral red
Laboratory
in colour, well adapted for fructivorous habit.

vi) The feet are zygodactylus having two digits (II and III) directed
forewords and the other two (I and IV) directed backwards, well adapted
for climbing on tree trunks, grasping and holding.

Habit and Habitat

Indian parakeet is a popular cage bird, and can mimic the human voice and
speak words like humans. It lives in flocks and is commonly found near fruit
trees, ripe crops and in thin forests. It is a serious agricultural pest especially
for fruit trees as it eats little and destroys enormous amounts.

Geographical Distribution: The large Indian parakeet is commonly found all

over the Indian Sub-Continent except in Pakistan
where it is scarce.
Classification and Justification

Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells

that lack a cell wall, many capable of
movement or movement of some of their body
parts or capable of movement at some time of
their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition.

Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and

pharyngeal gill slits present.

Subphylum Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column;

two pairs of appendages; circulatory
system closed; hepatic portal system
present; RBCs present in blood.

Class Aves Endothermic (warm blooded) with feathers;

forelimbs modified into wings, claws
absent; hind limbs adapted for climbing,
perching or swimming; skull with single
occipital condyle; beak present; sternum
well developed; amniotic; oviparous.

Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metcarpal

fused with distal carpals to form
carpometacarpals; sternum well developed
with keel.

Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with

interlocking mechanism; wings well
developed.

Order Psittasiformes Because of hinged upper beak, fleshy

tongue.

Genus Psittacula

Species eupatria
196
Common Tota, Suwa, Aves: Observations
and Classification of
Name Parakeet Specimens
14.4.6 Eudynamys scolopacea
Characters

i) The body of Eudynamys is slender with a long tail, measuring upto

42cm in length.

ii) Sexual dimorphism is well marked. The male is shining metallic black all
over with a striking yellowish green beak and crimson eyes. The female
is brown, spotted and barred with white. Only the male sings.

(a) (b)

The koel mostly

parasitises the nests of
crows. The koel
stealthly lays its eggs in
the crow’s nest. The
chick on hatching
pushes the crow chicks
out of the nest and the
crow rears the young
koel chick feeding it and
even teaching it to fly!

(c)

Fig. 14.6: Koel: a) Female, b) Male and c) Female & Male.

Habit and Habitat

Eudynamys commonly known as koel, is an example of a parasitic bird. It

builds no nest of its own but lays eggs in crow's nest leaving them to be
hatched, and the young to be reared by the foster parents (see margin
remark). Its food consists of banyan and peepal figs, various berries and hairy
caterpillars.

It is completely arboreal, never descending to the ground. Though it is a very

common and well-known bird of leafy gardens and grooves it is better known
for its fluty double call than its appearance. During winter it is silent and thus 197
 Animal Diversity: overlooked, and presumed to have migrated. It again starts to sing in spring
Laboratory
and remains noisy during the hot summer.

Geographical Distribution: Koel is distributed throughout India, Pakistan, Sri

Lanka and Myanmar.

Classification and Justification

Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells

that lack a cell wall, many capable of
movement or movement of some of their body
parts or capable of movement at some time of
their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition.

Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and

pharyngeal gill slits present.

Subphylum Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column;

two pairs of appendages; circulatory
system closed; hepatic portal system
present; RBCs present in blood.

Class Aves Endothermic (warm blooded) with feathers;

forelimbs modified into wings, claws
absent; hind limbs adapted for climbings,
perching or swimming; skull with single
occipital condyle; beak present; sternum
well developed; amniotic; oviparous.

Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metcarpal

fused with distal carpals to form
carpometacarpals; sternum well developed
with keel.

Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with

interlocking mechanism; wings well
developed.
Order Cuculiformes Toes two in front and two behind, outer hind
toe reversible; feet not adapted for grasping;
tail long.
Genus Eudynamys
Species scolopaceus
Common Cuckoo, Asian
Name koel, kokila

14.5 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

1. How are Ratitae and Carinate birds different from each other?
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2. Distinguish between Passeriformes and Cuculiformes species. Aves: Observations
and Classification of
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3. What are the distinguishing features of Accipitriformes and Strigiformes?
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