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 Perhaps no place on earth where no poultry would be met. Currently, our planet is more than 8600 species of birds, and the total numbers, according to scientists, is no less than 100 billion individuals.
The birds nest on every continent (including Antarctica in) and on most oceanic islands, and during kochevok found in the open ocean far from land. They settle all natural areas - from deserts to arctic tropical rain forest - with the largest number of them inhabit in the humid equatorial forests of South America: Colombia about 1700 species in Brazil - 1440, in Ecuador - 1357, in Venezuela - 1282 form.
In Russia and neighboring states reported a total of about 750 species of birds belonging to 20 orders, of which about half - vorobinoobraznye. | | Cosmopolitans |
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 Cosmopolitans called the organisms that live at all (or nearly all) continents. Among birds cosmopolitan is not much, no more than a dozen species. For example, the falcon-sapsan not found only in Antarctica and in equatorial areas of Africa and South America.
This large falcon lives in a variety of biotopes: in the forest, forest, tundra, the moss bogs - it avoids the only deaf forest (especially tropical), as well as plain steppes and deserts. Ironically, many cosmopolitan - quite rare. The number of the same sapsana severely reduced as a result of direct persecution by man, and as a result of habitat destruction and hard use of pesticides in agriculture. This widespread, but everywhere rare falcon brought into the Red Book of Russia. | | The origin of feathers |
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 Feathers arose, probably from the highly modified scales of reptiles. The early stage of development of the pen birds were similar with similar stages of development horny scales that confirms this hypothesis.
One of the most ancient forms that are close to modern birds and feathers with cover, was arheopteriks (Archaeopteryx lithographica). His age of about 140-150 million years, remains were found in the 60's. XIX century. shale in sandstones at Zolengofena (Bayern Munich) in the Jurassic sediments of shallow Gulf sea. Feathers arheopteriksa already looked like feathers of modern birds, were varied in form and perform various functions. | | It turns |
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 A male lyrebird unusual steering feathers, extreme steam which reaches 60 cm in length, and distributed them in the south-eastern Australia. Inhabit the mountain forests with thick understory and a thick layer of sheet opada. The nest in a large ball with the side entrance of building a female, usually by placing it in the fork of branches low over the land. In laying 1 egg, which nasizhivaet also female. Lead a single life, nochuyut on trees. Males tokuyut alone in the forest cleared by Polyanka. Excellent imitate any sounds. Feeding on the ground, kicked razgrebaya litter, worms, insects, molluscs, crustaceans, rarely used vegetable diet. | | More on plumes |
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Feathers of birds perform multiple functions: protect the body from hypothermia and overheating, maintain its constant temperature. Feathers protect the body against mechanical damage and moisture penetration. Large feathers forming the surface of the wings and tail, making it possible flight of birds. The herons, kozodoev, bustard and some parrots on the chest or on poyasnitse there are lots growing brittle Pooh - pudretki. Their oblamyvayuschiesya peaks form a fine powder - powder. Birds sprinkle this powder plumage, increasing water-repellent properties of the blade. Modified feathers of many species of birds play an important role in grooming and education of couples. Coloring feathers allow birds to recognize individuals of the species or blacked out on the ground.
Thanks to special design, disheveled pen easily lead to its original state. From the main shaft away bit with hundreds kryuchochkov, stseplyayuschih with neighboring beard. | | Birds "cosmetic" |
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 Some species of birds in addition podkrashivayut their plumage. Thus, a large Indian, or two-horned, Hornbill (a large species of the family of birds rhinoceros), distributed in Southeast Asia, wet beak in the oil gland and yellow secret transfers to the white tail feathers. Pigment from the group carotene quickly dries in the air, and feathers are becoming yellow hue. The operation bird constantly repeats. Keep these birds at most large trees in small groups of 5-6 birds. In laying 1-3 eggs. Nest, usually in the same hollow from year to year. Female wall itself, but the male feeds her. Feed on fruit, lizards, seeds, insects. All that spin in the air, catch wide-open beak and ingested. | | Hydrofoil |
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 It is known that penguins do not fly, but they have well-developed fin and pectoral muscle. The fact is that the main driver of the penguins while scuba diving are not the legs, like most other birds, a narrow and short wings. They can not be up in the air, but they provide a powerful field, allowing underwater speed up to 55-58 km / h! Short legs that function as the steering wheel. The method of navigation is used by penguins, the scientists described as an underwater flight.
Pingviny commit grand ocean migration. Magellanic penguins, for example, the winter uplyvayut at 3-3,5 thousands of kilometers to the north, reaching the famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Royal or zolotovolosym penguin does not swim away from their homes by 1,5 thousands of miles away and then come back. | | Used materials: |
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Il'ichev VD, Kartashov NN, Shilov IA Overall ornithology. Moscow: High School, 1982. 464 pp.
Mosalov AA, Shitikov DA Birds and animals. Moscow: ACT, 2000. 160 pp.
State Darvinovsky Museum
Encyclopedia Krugosvet | |
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