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15.20: Introduction to Birds

  • Page ID
    44052
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    Identify characteristics of birds

    The most obvious characteristic that sets birds apart from other modern vertebrates is the presence of feathers, which are modified scales. While vertebrates like bats fly without feathers, birds rely on feathers and wings, along with other modifications of body structure and physiology, for flight.

    What You’ll Learn to Do

    • Identify characteristics of birds
    • Describe the derived characteristics in birds that facilitate flight
    • Describe the evolutionary history of birds

    Learning Activities

    The learning activities for this section include the following:

    • Characteristics of Birds
    • Evolutionary History of Birds
    • Self Check: Birds

    Contributors and Attributions

    CC licensed content, Original
    • Introduction to Birds. Authored by: Shelli Carter and Lumen Learning. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
    CC licensed content, Shared previously

    15.20: Introduction to Birds is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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