Question 1

Posteriorly directed __________ on the ribs of birds overlap the next posterior rib and strengthen the rib cage.

Accepted Answer

Uncinate processes are small bony projections that project posteriorly from the lateral edges of the rib cage in birds, and they overlap the next posterior rib. This overlapping arrangement strengthens the rib cage and helps in providing more support during flight. Barbules are hair-like structures on feathers that help in holding the feather vane together. Sternal zygapophyses are joints between the sternum and the ribs. Hamuli are hook-like structures on the leading edge of the wing that help in maintaining the shape of the wing during flight. Annuli are ring-like structures on bird feathers that help in identifying the age of a bird.

Question 2

The activity by which birds maintain a clean plumage and rid the feathers and skin of parasites is referred to as

Accepted Answer

Preening refers to the activity by which birds clean and maintain their feathers and skin by running their beaks through their feathers, arranging them, and applying a special oil from a gland near their tail. It is an essential behavior for maintaining good feather condition and preventing parasitic infestations.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic shared by reptiles and birds?

Accepted Answer

Reptiles and birds share several characteristics, including a single occipital condyle (a feature related to the skull and spine connection), nucleated red blood cells (unlike mammals, whose red blood cells are typically not nucleated), and a single ear ossicle (a bone in the middle ear). They also have similarities in their lower jaw structure. Therefore, all the options listed are indeed characteristics shared by reptiles and birds.

Question 4

Evidence seems to indicate that the feathered fossil form known as __________ was a glider rather than using flapping flight.

Accepted Answer

Archaeopteryx is widely considered to be the earliest-known bird and a transitional fossil between dinosaurs and modern birds. Although it had feathers, its skeletal structure suggests that it did not possess the musculature and strength needed for sustained flapping flight, leading scientists to believe that it primarily glided from tree to tree.

Question 5

The occipital condyle is the point of articulation between the

Accepted Answer

The occipital condyle is located on the base of the skull and articulates with the first cervical vertebra, forming the atlanto-occipital joint that allows for nodding movements of the head. The femur articulates with the ilium at the hip joint, the radius articulates with the carpus at the wrist joint, the caudal vertebra articulates with the pygostyle at the tail end of the bird, and the wishbone (sternum) does not have an occipital condyle.

Question 6

Birds,dinosaurs,and crocodilians are all

Accepted Answer

Birds, dinosaurs, and crocodilians all belong to the group of reptiles called archosaurs, which share common characteristics such as a socket-and-ball joint in their hips and a hole in their skulls behind their eyes. The other choices are incorrect as pterodactyls and pterosaurs belong to a separate group of extinct flying reptiles, and saurentians and plesiodactyls are not valid categories of classification.

Question 7

Fusion of posterior thoracic vertebrae,all lumbar vertebrae,all sacral vertebrae,and the anterior caudal vertebrae forms the __________ in birds.

Accepted Answer

Fusion of these vertebrae forms the synsacrum in birds, which is an important adaptation for flight as it provides a strong, rigid structure for attachment of flight muscles. The other choices are not formed by fusion of these specific vertebrae.

Question 8

The traditional classification system places birds in the class

Accepted Answer

Birds are always classified in the class Aves, which is a distinct group of warm-blooded, feathered vertebrates with beaks, wings, and some ability to fly.

Question 9

Posterior caudal vertebrae in birds are fused into a __________ that helps support the tail feathers.

Accepted Answer

The fused posterior caudal vertebrae in birds is known as the pygostyle, which helps support the tail feathers.

Question 10

The covering of feathers on a bird is called the

Accepted Answer

Plumage refers specifically to the covering of feathers on a bird, while the other options are more general terms for the outer layer or skin of an animal.

Question 11

Anting,a common habit of many songbirds,involves picking up ants with their beaks and rubbing them over the feathers.__________ secreted by the ants is apparently toxic to feather mites.

Accepted Answer

Anting involves picking up ants and rubbing them over the feathers. The substance secreted by ants during anting is believed to be formic acid, which is toxic to feather mites. Therefore, the best choice is A, formic acid.

Question 12

Which of the following features of birds is NOT an adaptation for flight?

Accepted Answer

Modified hind limbs in birds are primarily adapted for walking, perching, or swimming rather than for flight. The other options (endothermy, high metabolic rate, bones with numerous air spaces, and feathers) are all adaptations that facilitate flight.

Question 13

Contour feathers consist of a __________ with inner and outer webs.

Accepted Answer

Contour feathers have a vane which consists of an inner web and an outer web that are connected by barbs, barbules, and hamuli.

Question 14

Interpretations of the life-style of the fossilized theropods have been important in the development of hypotheses on the

Accepted Answer

The lifestyle of fossilized theropods has been important in the development of hypotheses on the origin of flight because theropods are the closest known relatives of birds, and their lifestyle can provide clues about the adaptations that may have led to the evolution of flight.

Question 15

The archosaur lineage that includes birds and dinosaurs also includes the

Accepted Answer

The archosaur lineage that includes birds and dinosaurs also includes modern-day crocodiles as their closest living relatives. Lizards, snakes, turtles, and tuataras belong to different lineages.

Question 16

A reptilian characteristic of Archaeopteryx was

Accepted Answer

Archaeopteryx had a long tail, which is a reptilian characteristic. This tail had vertebrate and was composed of bones, unlike the feathers found in the rest of its body.

Question 17

All birds undergo a periodic replacement of their feathers during

Accepted Answer

The word used for the periodic replacement of feathers in birds is "molting", which is option B. The other options do not accurately describe this process.

Question 18

The __________ of most birds has a large,medial keel for attachment of flight muscles.

Accepted Answer

The sternum, or breastbone, in birds has a large, medial keel for the attachment of flight muscles. This allows birds to have strong, powerful chest muscles for flapping their wings and sustained flight.

Question 19

The wings of a bird function as a(n)

Accepted Answer

The wings of a bird are designed as airfoils, which means that they are shaped in a way that allows air to flow more quickly over the top of the wing than underneath it. This creates lift, which enables the bird to fly. The other options (parachute, lever/pulley system, canopy, and hydrofoil) do not accurately describe the function of a bird's wings.

Question 20

Birds with long tongues include

Accepted Answer

Hummingbirds and woodpeckers are the birds with long tongues.

Quiz 21: Birds: Reptiles by Another Name