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Zoology
CLASSIFICATION OF AVES
By BS MediaTwitter Profile | Updated: Saturday, 01 July 2017 13:45 UTC
Based on characters of Aves Class is divided into 2 sub-classes.
Sub class: i) Archeornithes and Subclass ii) Neornithes
1. Sub class Archeornithes:
- In this subclass extinct birds are included. Those birds were alive in Mesozoic era.
- These show a long tail with 13 or more than 13 caudal vertebrae.
- Pygostyle is absent.
- Meta carpals are free. The free fingers of fore limb will end with claws.
- Thecodont teeth are seen.
Eg: Archeopteryx, Archeormis
2. Sub class Neornithes:
2. Sub class Neornithes:
- This subclass includes both extant and extinct birds.
- Tail ends in pygostyle. The rectrices are arranged r a semi circular around pygostyle.
- Teeth are absent in many forms.
- Sternum is well developed. It shows a keel to which flight muscles are attached.
This subclass is divided into 4 super orders.
- Odontognathae
- Palaeognathe
- Impennae
- Neognathae
1. Super Order: Palaeognathae:
- These are flightless birds.
- They are more in numbers.
- Wings are reduced or absent.
- Teeth are absent.
- Caudal vertebrae are free.
This super order is divisible into 7 orders.
1. Order: Struthioni:
Ex: Struthio camelus (Two toed African Ostrich (or) Ostrich)
- Large flight-less bird.
- Feathers are less.
- They show two toed hind limbs.
- Sternum is without keel.
- Neck is very long and flexible.
- Pygostyle is absent.
- These birds are good runners.
2. Order: Rheiforms:
Rhea americana. (three toed (or) American ostrich).
- This includes flightless, terrestrial bird.
- They are good runners.
- Wings are better developed.
- The body shows more feathers.
- The hind limb bear three toes.
- Sternum is without keel.
3. Order: Casuariformes:
Ex: Casuarius (Casso waries), Dromaeus (Emu)
- These are flightless terrestrial birds.
- Head shows few feathers.
- Neck and body show more feathers.
- Wings are Rudimentus.
- The hind limb shows three toes.
4. Order: Aepyomithiformes:
Ex: Aepyornis.
- These are extinct elephant birds.
- Wings are vestigeal.
- Legs are powerful.
- Hind limbs show 4 toes.
- Sternum is broad.
- Keel is absent.
- Eggs are very big.
5. Order: Dinomithiformes:
Ex: Dinornis (Extinct Moas)
- These are gaint flightless extinct birds.
- Wings are absent.
- Eggs are massive.
- Sternum is reduced without keel.
- Pectoral girdle is absent.
6. Order: Apternygiformes:
Ex: Apteryx (Kiwi), Newzealand bird
- These are flightless, terrestrial birds.
- Wings are rudimentary.
- Eyes are small.
- Neck and legs ve small.
- Hind limbs bear 4 toes.
- These are Nocturnal. They feed on insects.
- Eggs are largest relatively.
- These are present only in Newzeland and Australia.
7. Order: Tinamiformes:
Ex: Tinamus.
- These are small, terrestrial with little power of flight.
- Wings are short and round.
- Pygostyle is reduced.
- Eggs are big.
- They eat plant products.
2. Super Order: Impennae:
This super order includes flightless aquatic birds.
- Their foreKmbs are modified into paddles.
This super order includes only one order.
1. Order: Sphenisci formes (SPHENISCI FORMES):
Ex: Aptenodyts (Penguin)
- These are flightless aquatic birds.
- Feathers are small scale like. They cover the. entire body.
- Forelimbs are modified into paddles. They are useful for swimming
- Limbs are 4 toes.
- Below the skin thick layer of fat will be present.
3. Super Order: Neognathae:
- This sub order includes modern flying birds.
- Teeth are absent.
- Wings are well developed.
- Sternum shows keel.
- Flight muscles are well devebped.
- Pygostyle is present.
This super order is divisible into the following orders.
1. Order: Gaviformea
Ex: Gavia immer (Common loon)
- These birds show powerful fight
- Toes are webbed.
2. Order: Podlcipit formes:
Ex: Podiceps.
- These are fresh water birds.
- Feet are lobed.
3. Order: Procellariiformes:
Ex: Puffinus (Petrels, Diomedia ) ( Wandering albatross)
- Skull shows large nasal gland.
- Feathers are compact.
- Wings are long and narrow.
4. Order: Pelecaniformee:
Ex: Pelecanus (Pelecan)
- Aquatic fish eating birds.
- Four toes are webbed.
5. Order: Clconiformee:
Ex: Ardea (great blue heron)
- Neck is long and Legs are long
- Web is absent.
6. Order: Ariseriformea:
Ex: Anser domesticus (Duck), Cygnus (swan)
- Beak is broad.
- Tongue is fleshy.
- Legs are short.
- Feet are webbed.
7. Order: Faiconl forme:
Ex: Mihms migrans (Kite). Pseudogyps (Vulture)
- Beak is short and curved.
- Feet show curved daws.
- They are strong fleers.
8. Order: Galliforroea:
Ex: GaOus (Jungle Fowl), Pavo cristatus (Peacock)
- Beak is short.
- Terrestrial birds.
- They will fly.
9. Order: Gruiformes:
Ex: Grus (crane)
- They are small or medium large-size birds.
- They may be weak or strong fliers.
- Legs are long.
10. Order: Diatrymiformee:
- These are extinct birds.
11. Order: Chardriiforrae:
Ex: Larus (Gull)
- Shore dwelling aquatic birds.
- Toes are webbed.
12. Order: Columbiformes:
Ex: 1. Columba livia (Pigeon), 2. Sterptopelia (Dove)
- Skin thick and soft.
- Beak is usually short and slender.
- Crop produces pigeon milk to feed the young ones.
13. Order: Cuculiformee:
Ex: 1. Cuculus (cuckoo), 2. Eudynamis (Koel)
- Many Cuckoos are parasites.
- The females lay their eggs in the nests of other birds.
- The toes are four in number.
- Tail is long.
14. Order: Paitiaciforme:
Ex: Psittacula eupatra (Parra keet)
- Feathers are green, blue, yellow.
- Beak is short and curved.
- Frugivorus forms.
15. Order: Strlgiformes:
Ex: Bubo bubo (green horned owl)
- Head is large and narrow.
- Retina contains many rods. Hence it can see in the night time.
- They are nocturnal predators.
16. Order: Caprimulgiformee:
Ex: Caprinulgus (Night jar)
- Legs are weak.
- Beak is small.
17. Order: Apodiformes:
Ex: Swift (Humming bird)
- These are small birds.
- They are powerful fliers.
18. Order: Coliifbrmee:
Ex: Cobus (Mouse bird)
- Small birds.
- Tail is long.
19. Order: Coraci formes:
Ex : Akedo king fisher and hornbill
- Beak is strong. It is useful to catch fishes.
- Third and Fourth toes are fused at the base.
20. Order: Piciforme:
Ex: Brachypternus (Wood pecker), Dinopium (Wood pecker)
- Tail feathers are pointed.
- Beak is stout.
21. Order: Passed formes:
Ex: 1 Passer domesticus (Sparrow), Corvus (Crow), Acridotherus (Myna)
End of the article