Structural adaptations of birds for aerial life/flight

 Structural adaptations of birds for aerial life/flight

• Birds have a well streamlined body shape. This allows them to move smoothly in the air without much resistance.
• They have a keel-shaped sternum for attachment of flight muscles.
• They have few mobile joints. This makes their bodies compact so that they can move smoothly as a whole in the air with less resistance.
• They have hollow bones to reduce on their weight so as to float well in the air during flight.
• Their wings are shaped like an aerofoil. This helps them to generate enough force to initiate and maintain flight.
• Down feathers as are filthy to provide high insulation.
• The bones of vertebral column are fused to reduce flexibility and provide a firm attachment for muscle.
• Flight feathers are large and strong to provide a large surface area for generation of force of flight and to resist strong air currents during flight.
• Ability to fold the legs away during flight further streamlines their body shape and reduces air resistance.
• They have prominent eyes located dorso-laterally on the head to provide a keen eye sight especially during landing.
• have scale on the legs to reduce water loss

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