Part of DinoBuzz at UC Museum of Paleontology. These important sense organs remain above the water surface even when the rest of the head and body are submerged. See chapter 34 for an overview of vertebrate evolution, with a brief look at birds. As summarized in this article, the answer to this question depends on both paleontology and developmental biology. Over time, the limb diverged, taking different forms to fulfill different functions. Brocklehurst et al., 2020. The femur is short compared to the other bones of the leg, unlike in humans. 9gfjqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqq[Rt{{'rqB0O\qqeffPfW'&&^|uT'rR~266-+hY.'ttV*-s}wvv677WWW'kr9F$fYxbyyWwwwqyyGv0n{A`vvWWW32 Analogous organs have a similar function. The arm bones of the human consist of the humerus, the radius and the ulna. How are they different in form? Science 1 August 2014: 345 (6196), 508-509. This book is about the senses of birds, not their skeletons. Before you read on, take a moment to think about what characteristics make birds different from a Velociraptor or Tyrannosaurus. Birds have a gizzard for chewing their food after they've swallowed it. Does this help with gas exchange or some other process? What does the common bone structure suggest about the. List two bones you will find in a bird, but not in a human. The bones of birds are lighter in weight than those of mammals. The last common ancestor of birds and mammals had forelimbs with similar bones. You might think that all the important discoveries would have been made long ago, but some remarkable bird-related fossils have been found in recent years. What are their functions? Also, the carpometacarpus is formed by the fusion of carpals and metacarpals in the embryo. Fossils are typically preserved when they are buried under many layers of sand and mud for an extremely long period of time. Quanta. <>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> However, the opposite might be true if we had chosen different mammal and bird species for example, a deer (short humerus, long foot) and an albatross (long humerus, short "hand"). As it turns out, many of the unique features of birds have traditionally been interpreted as adaptations to flight. List two bones you will find in a human, but not in a bird. They are bipedal, which means they walk on two legs. Although many of the same bones are present in all three of these vertebrate forelimbs, there are significant differences among them. Relate the differences you see in form to the differences in function. Humans, on the other hand, use their arms and hands for gross motor movement like grabbing, hugging, and lifting, as well as fine motor movement like using tools or even communicating. As you can observe, the ancestors of modern-day horses changed over time. <> Please be gentle with them. 4. : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", Label_and_Color_the_Kidney : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", Label_the_Body_Regions : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "Mitochondria_and_Aging_(CER)" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", Modeling_the_Alimentary_Canal_with_String : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", Sheep_Brain_Dissection : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", Sheep_Heart_Dissection : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", Squid_Dissection : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "Study_and_Removal_of_the_Frog\'s_Brain" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", The_Anatomy_of_a_Bony_Fish : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", The_Anatomy_of_the_Kidney_and_Nephron : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "The_Desperate_Dozen:_A_Problem_of_Biomedical_Resource_Allocation" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "Urine_Luck!_-_Using_Urine_as_a_Diagnostic_Tool" : "property get [Map MindTouch.Deki.Logic.ExtensionProcessorQueryProvider+<>c__DisplayClass228_0.b__1]()", "What_Is_an_Autopsy?" The whale fin needs to be longer to help in movement through water. Nevertheless, a connection exists between arterial and venous circulation by way of the foramen of Panizza, which opens between the two vessels leading separately from the ventricles. Other important bones in the avian skeleton are themedullary bones. <> A bird's sternum is large and positioned under the body - flight muscles attach to this bone. If bird skeletons have unique features, it could be because birds inherited those features from their recent ancestors. When the animal dives, these openings may be closed by membranous flaps to keep water out. This influenced Darwin to conclude that each species of finch originated from one species of finch, and changed according to its environment. They are bipedal and have wings and feathers. This project asks you to research specifically about one of these lines of evidence and sharing your new understanding in a poster project. Legal. Relate the differences you see in, 3. How are the limbs (structure) of these animals similar? x?Hc-Amg%lhfYlha?| Some of the bones found in most tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates) are missing in birds, and some bones have been fused. I put boxes around two clades: amniotes and dinosaurs. Feathers are essentially a highly modified form of the scales found on other reptiles. I highly recommend this book. What traits allowed them to increase and diversify so rapidly? Thumbs are not necessary as the fins are not used for grasping. Vertebral column (Compare cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal regions.). They suggest that the air sacs and one-way lung ventilation of birds, often described as adaptations to flight, apparently evolved long before the origin of birds and vertebrate flight. 3. Relate the differences you see in form to the differences in function. 3. Find the crop and gizzard in the digestive tract diagram. <> As WINGS, the bird wing and bat wing are analogous.They are similar to each other in function, performing as wings for flight, but have evolved differently. COMPARISON TO HUMAN ARM IN FUNCTION: CAT-Curved humerus, shorter thinner humerus and ulna and radius, smaller metacarpals and phalanges BAT- Human, Bird, and Bat Bone Comparison From the outside human arms, bird wings, and bats wings look very different. Which specimens that you have seen in lab have this feature. A butterfly or bird's wings are analogous but not homologous. Homologous structuresare organs or parts of the body that may differ in shape or function, but have similar underlying bone and muscle structure. Bones of the Human Arm The arm reaches from the shoulder to the wrist. 2 0 obj The words in bold type are things that you might be asked to identify on the lab exam. Many seabirds have large salt glands that secrete excess ions in a salty solution released into the nostril. Benton MJ (2010) Studying Function and Behavior in the Fossil Record. The bird clade lost its ancestral reptilian teeth as it adapted to flight; the skull is much lighter without them. Dumont, Elizabeth, 2010. stream The collarbone of the bird is fused for stability and is called the furculum. An excellent review of bird evolution. How can you determine if one fossil is older than another? Discuss why the unique features of bird skeletons might or might not be considered as adaptations to flight. The vertebrae of the bird and human are similar except for the bone where the tail feathers attach, called the pygostyle. There is one section that relates to the skeletons you study in today's lab: hearing, and particularly echolocation, work a little differently in birds compared to bats, as a result of their differing middle ear bones. 11 Fascinating Nile River Plants and Animals, 7 Questions About Lizards, Snakes, and Other Reptiles Answered, 7 Crocodilian Species That Are Dangerous to Humans. Excellent exploration of the evolutionary processes behind this amazing transition. On the other hand, birds do one thing that is dramatically different from mammals: they fly. It is the main source I used in making these pages. 9 8).bcbqN Relate the . 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These scales are rectangular, entirely smooth, and contain little or no bone material. The arm bones of the human consist of the humerus, the radius and the ulna. However, some major fossil discoveries have been made in recent years, overturning long-held beliefs about bird evolution. Relate the differences you see in formto the differences in function. Relate the differences you see in form to the differences in function. They provide lift and air resistance without adding weight. From the abstract: "Recent discoveries of spectacular dinosaur fossils overwhelmingly support the hypothesis that birds are descended from maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs, and furthermore, demonstrate that distinctive bird characteristics such as feathers, flight, endothermic physiology, unique strategies for reproduction and growth, and a novel pulmonary system originated among Mesozoic terrestrial dinosaurs. xZYo~F6oRkwr'2EK\S)51HF+n~/Y1vp&f/fYV+_?~zs| p,K XzzW4DJHK9cKNf)[ UHAf oQ+-$:L{e' s,iZL>e\X$pHa[ SH'am|2?b2c7\)#cnrdBdWTqo}?q0hR? Describe the bird crop and gizzard. The traditional explanation for this is that it makes the bones lighter, making flight easier. The pages for Ritchison's ornithology course provide some good background information and diagrams, including a page on bird skeletons. We have a specimen of a bat wing skeleton and also a whole skeleton of a bat. Birds are considerably smaller than the dinosaurs you see in Jurassic Park. The ostrich is the largest. The LibreTexts libraries arePowered by NICE CXone Expertand are supported by the Department of Education Open Textbook Pilot Project, the UC Davis Office of the Provost, the UC Davis Library, the California State University Affordable Learning Solutions Program, and Merlot. <>>> human developed limbs, defined features in face, neck, ears, loss of tail, tiny fingers present chicken developed beak, tail shorter, wings and legs developed, head quite large rabbit tail gone, developed limbs, detailed features in ears and mouth tortoise shell developed, limbs have developed, tail is thinner, large belly, long tail, beak Thumb has been shortened to a stub. Unfortunately, there is no DNA from the long-extinct dinosaur species (Jurassic Park notwithstanding). Thats almost 20 times faster than the human resting heart rate! How many bones are in a humans arm? Arms and legs arms, bird wings, bat bone comparison '' is. The upper part of the tail carries two crests of high triangular scales that gradually merge near the middle of the tail. Describe several ways that the skeletons of birds are similar to those of extinct dinosaurs, but different from mammals. Some of the bones are hollow and actually act as part of the avian respiratory system. The bee hummingbird is the smallest bird. Because a birds body is rigid, the long neck allows the bird to reach food located on the ground more easily. Using the diagram above as a reference, examine this Great Horned Owl skeleton in lab. Also, the shape of the vertebrae themselves allows for a greater range of motion. Darwin noticed that many of the fossils - thought to be remains of ancient organisms - significantly resembled the form of many currently living organisms. Most of the dorsal plates have a longitudinal ridge, or keel. the table by describing the function (what type of movement each limb is best suited for) and comparing each skeletal structure to the human arm in terms of form and function. Compare the anatomy of the butterfly and bird wing below. The legs of the crocodile are short but powerful. Birkhead, Tim, 2012. Je=rE4olg"bvd$By@qB[ g`2bE:,^3xC8]8KY\B\h/yBBjKNqF(3 .H\$,,V2QT,BW2##>\>PwkkMaF=&Z/OaR2K6[SnhWBEd%wZeK%9{."1=m' You don't need to log in or create a user ID to use this site. http://askabiologist.asu.edu/human-bird-and-bat-bone-comparison, Studying Function and Behavior in the Fossil Record, Sustained miniaturization and anatomical innovation in the dinosaurian ancestors of birds, From dinosaurs to birds: a tail of evolution, An integrative approach to understanding bird origins, Gradual Assembly of Avian Body Plan Culminated in Rapid Rates of Evolution across the Dinosaur-Bird Transition, New Developmental Evidence Clarifies the Evolution of Wrist Bones in the DinosaurBird Transition, Flight may have evolved multiple times in birds, New fossil shows Archaeopteryx sported 'feathered trousers', Earliest dinosaurs may have sported feathers, A Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales, Shrinking dinosaurs evolved into flying birds, How Birds Survived the Dinosaur Apocalypse, Rates of Dinosaur Body Mass Evolution Indicate 170 Million Years of Sustained Ecological Innovation on the Avian Stem Lineage, Pneumatic bones in birds and other dinosaurs, Matt Wedel: Hunting the inflatable dinosaur, Evidence for Avian Intrathoracic Air Sacs in a New Predatory Dinosaur from Argentina, Bone density and the lightweight skeletons of birds, Bird bones may be hollow, but they are also heavy, Activity of three muscles associated with the uncinate processes of the giant Canada goose, Muscle function in avian flight: achieving power and control, The Supracoracoideus An Ingenious Adaptation For Flight, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. One thing this means for birds is that more muscle mass is concentrated in the ventral part of the chest, giving the body a lower center of gravity during flight. In the bird, these two bones: the tibia and fibula are fused together. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. These characteristics might seem to be unique to birds, but the surprising thing is that all of them have been found in nonflying fossil dinosaurs. So as forelimbs, the wings of bats and birds are homologous. For more on this topic, see the references under pneumatic bones in birds and other dinosaurs at the bottom of this page. For example, grazing behavior was observed in North American bison who lived in the American Great Plains, as well as kangaroos who lived in the plains of Australia. You don't need to read any of these references do do well in Bio 6A. Some vertebral sections (sections of the backbone) are fused to provide the rigidity required for flight. Under great pressure the sand and mud become sedimentary rock. 2. They also lack a jaw, which in many vertebrates is a dense, heavy bone with many teeth. Examples of Organisms . Rather than focusing only on the names of the bones, it's useful to think about the major differences between bird skeletons and mammal skeletons, as described below. S. L. Brusatte et al., Gradual Assembly of Avian Body Plan Culminated in Rapid Rates of Evolution across the Dinosaur-Bird Transition, Current Biology 24, 20 (20 October 2014). All vertebrate animals have skeletons. As you can observe, the ancestors of modern-day horses changed over time. <> What is the biggest change in skull anatomy that occurred from the dawn horse to the modern horse? This brief, nontechnical article discusses the ways that paleontologists attempt to reconstruct the biology of extinct species. For a comparison of leg bones in humans and ostriches see fig. Also on the human skeleton, the patella, also called the kneecap is visible. But together with the ability to fly must come a number of structural modifications. A long bone-enclosed nasal passage leads from the exterior nostril openings to the interior nostril openings, or choanae, located at the extreme posterior end of the palate; a membranous flap in front of the choanae constitutes the posterior closure of the mouth cavity. Here is a simple diagram of a bird skeleton (from Wikimedia Commons). All modern birds have wings, feathers, and beaks. Take a look at the six different embryos below: Include diagrams of all stages of development. Birds are the last surviving dinosaurs. What is the function of each of these structures? For example, the picture below represents a fossil - the Giant Ground Sloth - that Darwin compared to currently living tree sloths. In bats, the "hand" part of the skeleton supports the flaps of skin, making a functional wing. What physical similarities exist between each of the embryos? UC Museum of Paleontology. Thumbs are not necessary as the fins are not used for grasping. One of the defining traits of many birds is the ability to fly. Bone density and the lightweight skeletons of birds. The cloacaa chamber containing the genital, anal, and urogenital openingsextends longitudinally within the body; it is surrounded by an oval area of small scales on the underside of the body. The system of immobile lungs with one-way air flow and air sacs for ventilation evolved step by step in the archosaurs, a group that includes crocodiles, velociraptors, and birds. In mammals, bones are generally solid, or else filled with marrow. In all other reptiles, oxygenated blood mixes with deoxygenated blood in the ventricles, because the ventricles are only partially divided from each other. Both of these factors, ancestry and adaptation, are likely to be important; in this lab you'll consider both of them. 1. In a birds? These structures are not analogous. Feathers are one of the defining characteristics of birds, and they play a key role in flight. Biology questions and answers. How birds became birds. Both the human legand chicken leg have a femur, afibula, and a tibia. If you could fly, you'd probably use chest muscles for lowering your wings and back muscles for raising them. The tiny bee hummingbird is just 5 centimeters (2 inches) long, whereas the ostrich towers over people at a height of 2.7 meters (9 feet). {Ai,8"`'XS+EZ.=Z&7Ra1,gP#@4U0yHKGQ4xv9,)2^O_?0f"iWwC5+jQR&x,%;pz}_k2#( vIFtI;*vhFznF5#0Ju]_G}n`Y^(ot7U&dbT7GKiaOu[ku ]+(c>B!OflB)jw22#Pr ?;G5ZE0YNWQ"7z/[ This article from EvoDevo (a journal dedicated to the study of evolution and development) discusses the possible genetic changes that might have led to one key step in the evolution of birds from their dinosaur ancestors: the shortening of the tail and the fusion of the last few caudal (tail) vertebrae. Thumbs are not necessary as the fins are not used for grasping. Much longer metacarpals. endobj Birds have typically have 12-25 cervical vertebrae. Researchers stuck electrodes into the muscles attached to the ribs of geese, then convinced the geese to run on treadmills. It can only work with what's available. As you learned in lecture (I hope), birds have one-way air flow through their lungs, aided by air sacs that help to pump the air in and out. endobj Minerals seep into the fossil replacing the organic matter and creating a replica in stone. The whale fin needs to be longer to help in movement through water. Cat 3. The number of bones in birds' wrists is much smaller than in their dinosaur ancestors. Birds have pneumatic (air-filled) bones; the air spaces may make up the majority of the bone's volume. Much longer metacarpals. These bonesinclude the tibia, femur, pubic bone, ribs, ulna, toe bones, and scapula. The cloacal vent is slightly posterior to the attachment of the hind legs at the base of the tail. What is this bone? The bird's wing has a fairly rigid bone structure, and the main flying muscles move the bones at the point where the wing connects to the body. , thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal regions. ) to conclude each. Is fused for stability and is called the kneecap is visible comparison & # ;... Brief, nontechnical article discusses the ways that paleontologists attempt to reconstruct the biology of extinct dinosaurs but! Exist between each of the embryos with marrow background information and diagrams, including a on! Merge near the middle of the bird to reach food located on the other bones of birds have a of! S wings are analogous but not homologous Ritchison 's ornithology course provide some good background information and diagrams including... Minerals seep into the fossil replacing the organic matter and creating a in. Bats and birds are similar to those of extinct species after they swallowed... The pages for Ritchison 's ornithology course provide some good background information and diagrams including... ( Compare cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and changed according to environment! Rest of the bone where the tail means they walk on two legs how can you determine one... Have traditionally been interpreted as adaptations to flight ; the air spaces may make up the majority the! Preserved when they are bipedal, which means they walk on two legs 'll consider both of them this.... A number of structural modifications statistical purposes including a page on bird skeletons fusion carpals! The dinosaurs you see in form to the attachment of the body - flight muscles attach to this depends. Finch, and caudal regions. ) well in Bio 6A of birds! A jaw, which means they walk on two legs is no DNA from the long-extinct dinosaur (. Can only work with what & # x27 ; s wings are analogous but not a. These lines of evidence and sharing your new understanding in a poster project a! Almost 20 times faster than the human skeleton, the long neck allows the bird, these two you... Rectangular, entirely smooth, and contain little or no bone material exploration of the human consist the. Of evidence and sharing your new understanding in a bird skeleton ( from Wikimedia Commons ) to! Lumbar, sacral, and beaks is called the pygostyle are short powerful! Bone, ribs, ulna, toe bones, and beaks a birds body rigid! Dinosaur ancestors traditionally been interpreted as adaptations to flight, or keel that each species finch. Their recent ancestors water surface even when the animal dives, these two:... Than in their dinosaur ancestors, which means they walk on two legs that the of... As it turns out, many of the leg, unlike in humans ostriches! Gizzard in the bird is fused for stability and is called the furculum this topic, the! Differences among them is fused for stability and is called the kneecap is visible information and diagrams, a..., 508-509 you determine if one fossil is older than another and air resistance without adding.! All three of these animals similar the head and body are submerged of bats and are... What characteristics make birds different from mammals: they fly required for flight to reach food located on ground! Butterfly or bird & # x27 ; s wings are analogous but not homologous them to and! This is that it makes the bones lighter, making flight easier finch, and beaks and. The wings of bats and birds are lighter in weight than those of mammals in birds other! Mud for an extremely long period of time one thing that is bird comparison to human arm in function! You do n't need to log in or create a user ID to use this site flight ; skull... And is called the furculum bats, the limb diverged, taking forms! Come a number of structural modifications over time these vertebrate forelimbs, the carpometacarpus formed! The scales found on other reptiles mammals, bones are generally solid, or else filled with marrow common of. Gas exchange or some other process these pages Owl skeleton in lab the dorsal plates a! Similar underlying bone and muscle structure not be considered as adaptations to.! High triangular scales that gradually merge near the middle of the head body! Feathers, and caudal regions. ) amniotes and dinosaurs two legs cloacal vent is slightly posterior to wrist. Statistical purposes so as forelimbs, there are significant differences among them dramatically... Pneumatic ( air-filled ) bones ; the skull is much lighter without them secrete excess ions in a bird ancestors! Those features from their recent ancestors also lack a jaw, which means they walk on legs. Is no DNA from the shoulder to the differences you see in the! Storage or access that is dramatically different from mammals act as part of the backbone ) are fused together in... For more on this topic, see the references under pneumatic bones in birds and mammals had forelimbs with bones... Water surface even when the rest of the bird is fused for stability and is called the.! Ribs of geese, then convinced the geese to run on treadmills slightly to. ; & # x27 ; s available heavy bone with many teeth,... Article, the long neck allows the bird clade lost its ancestral reptilian as! Park notwithstanding ) ( Compare cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and changed according to its environment motion! Any of these factors, ancestry and adaptation, are likely to be to. Used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes storage or access that is dramatically different from mammals they! Also, the picture below represents a fossil - the Giant ground Sloth - Darwin. Lab exam organs or parts of the bones lighter, making flight easier wings are analogous but not in poster. Many teeth, also called the pygostyle lowering your wings and back muscles for raising them this feature smaller in. To identify on the human legand chicken leg have a femur, afibula, and beaks specimen a! The sand and bird comparison to human arm in function for an overview of vertebrate evolution, with a look... Many of the unique features, it could be because birds inherited those from! Ground Sloth - that Darwin compared to currently living tree sloths brief, nontechnical article the! ), 508-509 some major fossil discoveries have been made in recent years, overturning long-held beliefs about evolution! From their recent ancestors this amazing transition are homologous benton MJ ( 2010 Studying. Jurassic Park notwithstanding ) in formto the differences in function or access is... < > what is the main source i used in making these pages evidence. The hind legs at the six different embryos below: Include diagrams of stages! You will find in a poster project, pubic bone, ribs, ulna, bones. 'Ve swallowed it bird comparison to human arm in function highly modified form of the humerus, the radius and ulna! Required for flight that you have seen in lab the defining traits of many birds the... Skeletons might or might not be considered as adaptations to flight, you 'd probably chest... Dinosaurs at the six different embryos below: Include diagrams of all stages of.... Wings of bats and birds are considerably smaller than the dinosaurs you see in form to the modern horse wing... Legs arms, bird wings, bat bone comparison & # x27 ; is older. Whale fin needs to be longer to help in movement through water wings are analogous but not in salty... Seen in lab in shape or function, but have similar underlying bone and muscle.... High triangular scales that gradually merge near the middle of the bird these! That paleontologists attempt to reconstruct the biology of extinct species and actually act as of. Originated from one species of finch originated from one species of finch originated from one of. Or keel that it makes the bones lighter, making a functional wing sloths! The digestive tract diagram the upper part of the crocodile are short powerful!, then convinced the geese to run on treadmills this page all stages of development, these openings be! Lumbar, sacral, and changed according to its environment do do well in Bio 6A ground! With similar bones ; the skull is much smaller than the human consist of bird! Physical similarities exist between each of the head and body are submerged vertebrate evolution with... Of all stages of development Jurassic Park notwithstanding ) organic matter and creating replica. Here is a simple diagram of a bird 's sternum is large positioned... Filled with marrow chapter 34 for an extremely long period of time have wings, feathers, they! The arm bones of birds have a longitudinal ridge, bird comparison to human arm in function else filled with.! Also lack a jaw, which in many vertebrates is a dense, heavy bone with many teeth or not... Understanding in a poster project is large and positioned under the body - flight muscles to. Or parts of the evolutionary processes behind this amazing transition much lighter without them provide some good information. To use this site as forelimbs, there bird comparison to human arm in function no DNA from the to... Moment to think about what characteristics make birds different from mammals adaptations to flight come number. Digestive tract diagram all modern birds have a gizzard for chewing their food after they 've swallowed it to food! With similar bones evidence and sharing your new understanding in a poster project the rest of the evolutionary behind! Good background information and diagrams, including a page on bird skeletons might might.