This document summarizes key aspects of bird anatomy and flight. It discusses the functions of bones in birds, including their hollow and pneumatic nature which provides strength. It also describes the major flight muscles in birds and how they differ between smaller passerine birds and larger raptors. Finally, it outlines different wing shapes and flight styles such as flapping, soaring, and gliding.

1. Amber Fossen

3.  Functions:
o Support
o Protection
o Movement
o Calcium Storage
o RBC production
 Pneumatic bones (hollow):
o Have supporting struts
o Stronger due to fused
bones:
• Vertebrae column
• Sacral & Caudal bones
• Collar bone
Ulna of a Bird

4. Additional Strength:
 Ribs
o Broad & Flat
o Uncinated Process
 Keeled Sternum
o Muscle attachment site

5. PasseriRaptors
 Length:
› 3-16 inches
 Average Weight:
› 15-30 grams
 Length:
› 32-72 inches
 Average Weight:
› 80-4000 grams

7.  Major Flight Muscles:
o Pectoralis
o Supracoracoideus
 Minor Flight Muscles:
o Biceps
o Triceps
o Forearms
 Accessory Flight Muscles:
o Skin muscles

8.  Shape & Size
 Pectoralis generates most work
& power
 Power & Speed relationship
 Muscle Strain

9.  Pectoralis- down stroke
 Supracoracoideus –
upstroke
 Smaller wing muscles
 Tail
 Raptors vs. Passeri

10.  Raptors vs. Passeri
 Gliding
 Soaring
 Flapping

11.  Round Wing
 Long Pointed Wing
 Long Narrow Wing
 Broad Wing

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14. IMAGES:
http://images.sciencedaily.com/2010/03/100322112103-large.jpg
http://www.hsu.edu/pictures.aspx?id=1287
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/416013948_34f889edf7.jpg
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs51/i/2009/322/4/d/Stock___Bird_Skeleton_by_Death
s_stock.jpg
http://images.cpcache.com/merchandise/514_400x400_NoPeel.jpg?region=n
ame:FrontCenter,id:68477955,w:16
http://sunny.moorparkcollege.edu/~econnolly/F09BirdL24_files/image010.png
http://media.tiscali.co.uk/images/feeds/hutchinson/ency/0008n002.jpg
http://www.empiricalzeal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/power-curves-
birds.png
http://www.ornithopter.org/birdflight/birdsfly/ds.gif
http://www.expeditionsalaska.com/ramblings/wp-
content/uploads/2012/12/12_nov03440.jpg
http://pclayer.com/images/2012/05/Fly-Away-Wallpaper.jpg
http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/data/media/4/bald-eagle-in-flight_860.jpg
http://www.alaska-in-pictures.com/data/media/4/soaring-bald-eagle_4090.jpg
http://img.fotocommunity.com/Animali-allo-stato-libero/Uccelli-allo-stato-
libero/passerotto-a19781413.jpg
http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/554notes3.html