EXERCISE 31 AVES I: OBSEWATIONS AND CLASSIFICATION OF SPECIMENS Structure 3 1.1 Introduction 0b.jectives 31.2 Material Required 3 1.3 General Characters of Aves 3 1.4 Observatioll of Museum Specimens Milvlw nligrans B~ll~obzt bo Corvzw splendens Dio.zit.its adsit~zilis Colllnlbin Iivin Ds17dvocopu.s tizehrnttensis Psittnclrka ellpatria Callzls donlssticus Ezluj~nanzysscolol~ncen Stvuthio cnnzellrs 3 1.5 Ter~ninalQuestions
3 INTRODUCTION Birds occupy all co~itinents,oceans and islallds, penetrating tlie Arctic and the Antarctic and live from sea level to above timberline on tlie Everest. Tliey have well adapted migratory habits. They are tlie best known and mosl: easily recognised animals being ~iniquein having feathers for flying wliicli also cover and insulate their bodies and provide them with distinctive colouration. The body weight is reduced for flight by elimination of sonie bones and fusion of others and by presence of some air filled cavities and spaces in Inany bones. High metabolic rate,and raised body temperature,stro~igflight muscles and advanced respiratory ii~cchanismwith air sacs and lungs provide necessaly strength for flight. Tliey 11ave Ilighly developed voice,siglit and hearing but poor sense of s~iielI.
Class Aves is made up of 28 orders of living birds and a few fossil orders. More tha~i 9600 species have been named so far and only a few species remain to be discovered. Of the 28 orders, four or five (depending on tlie classificatio~lsystem) are ratiiae or flightless birds, tlie remaining orders are carillate birds with keeled stenium.111this exercise you will observe and classify some representative specimens of class Aves.
We would advise you to come prepared for tliis exercise by reading Unit 3 of Block I, LSE-I0 again as you would find it useful to refer to Fig.3.39 of that unit for iclentifying the orders of this class.
Objectives After completing illis exercise you will be able to: identify and give scientific and common names of some of the avian species, a classify the identified genera upto the level of order, a list tl~echaracters justifying the classificatioli of the identified specimens and mention special features if any, a mention the liabitat and geographical distribution, draw labeled diagram of each of the identified genera, mention tlie economic i~nporta~iceif any, of each of the given genera. Animal Diversity Lab. 31.2 MATERIAL REQUIRED 1. Stuffed specimens oE: Kite Owl Common crow Drongo Blue rock pigeon Fowl Woodpecker Koel Large Indian parakeet Ostrich 2. Hand lens
In absence of stuffed specimens good large sized photographs may be provided.
31.3 GENERAL CHARACTERS OF CLASS AVES Let us recall the general characters that distinguish class Aves from all other classes.' 1. Endothermic tetrapod vertebrates with feathers. 2. Forelimbs modified into wings each bearing three clawless digits and feathers for flight. 3. The hindlimbs are modified for walking, perching or swirmning and bear four toes. 4. No glands in the skin except for oil gland in the tail, 5. Bones are strong fully ossified though light, provided with air cavities. 6. Skull bones fused, bearing single occipital condyle as in reptiles. This m,akes it possible for birds to rotate their heads almost 180'. 7, Modem birds have no teeth, only horny beak present. 8. Pelvis fused to many vertcbrae but open ventrally, small ribs with strengthening processes; sternum is broad, well developed usually with median keel or reduced with no keel; flight muscles attached to keel. 9. The sacral vertebrae are fused with lumber, last thoracic and last caudal vertcbrae to form synsacrum. 10. Posterior caudal vertebrae hsed to form pygostyle. 11, Gullet has crop to store food, muscular gizzard in the stomach to masticate food. 12. Lungs spongy attached to air sacs that extend into various parts of the body. 13. Voice produced by syrinx situated at the junction of the trachea and the bronchioles. 14. Heart four chambered.
31.4 OBSERVATION OF SPECIMENS Look at the given specimens of birds carefully, use the hand lens wherever you need to see any details and note down all the characters. Compare your observations with the characters given in the text as you draw the given specimen.
3 1.4.1 3Milvus migrans Special Characters i) Pariah kite or Milvus is a large bird about 45-60 cm in length. ii) The plumage is reddish brown streaked with dark brown in both the sexes. iii) It is distinguished from all similar bird by its forked tail. iv) The toes are elongated bearing sharp pointed claws for grasping and capturing. v) The beak is sharp pointed and hooked, very well adapted for tearing the flesh of Aves -I: Observations and the prey. Classification of Specimens
Habit and Habitat Milvus is largely a scavenger bird feeding on rodent pests, reptiles, small birds, earthworms and garbage etc. It can be seen soaring around villages and towns at all times. Avoiding only dense forests. It boldly swoops down to snatch food from the busiest street or market. k
Geographical Distribution Milvus is found throughout India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lmka and Myanmar.
Classification and its Justification Kingdom Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement or inovement of some of their body parts or capable of inovement at some time of their life cycle; hetcrotrophic nutrition. Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and paired gill slits present. Group Notochord is replaced by vertcbral colurrm; 2 pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system prcscnt; RBC present in blood. Class Aves Endothermic with feathers; forelimbs modificd into wings, claws abscnt; hind limbs adapted for climbins perching or swimn~ing;skull with single occipital condyle; beak prcsent; sternum wcH developcd; ainniotic; oviparo~~s. Subclass Tail sl~oi-t,ends in pygostyle; mctcarpal fbsed with distal carpals to foriu carpometacarpals; sternum well developed with keel. Superorder Neognathae Slcull ~lcognatl~us;feathers with interlocking n~echanisnl;wings well developed. Order Falconiformes Beak short and curved at tllc tip; mandibles sharp-edged; feet with sharp curved claws; diurnal strong flier. Genus Milvus Species migrans Conlmon name Pariah Kite
31.4.2 Buho bubo Special Cl~aracters i) Barn owl is a large and robust bird, measuring upto 60cm in length. ii) The colour is dark brown streaked with tawny buff and black. iii) The head is large and has two black ear tufts or horns. iv) The eyes are large, round and directed forwards, v) The legs are fully feathered.
Habit and Habitat Barn owl is nocturnal but can be seen frequently during the day time. It spends the day resting on the ground under the sl~elterofa bush or on some shady projection of a rock near a river.Its food co~lsistsof small mammals, birds, lizards, and other reptiles; also feeds on small insects as well as on fish or crabs. Bcst known for its deep double hoot. Animal Diversity Lab. Geographical Distribution Barn owl is found throughout India, Pakistan and Myanmar.
Fig. 31.2: Bubo bubo.
Economic Importance The barn owl is a farmer's friend, for it kills a large number of crop pests like rodents and other vermin. It deserve the strictest protection.
Classification with Justification Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells that lack a cell wall, many capable of moveinent or movement of some of their body parts or capable of movement at some time of their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition. Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and pl~aryngealgill slits present. Subphylum Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column; 2
f pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system present; RBC present in blood. Class Aves Endothermic with feathers; forelimbs modified into wings, claws absent; hind limbs adapted for climbing perching or swimming; skull with single occipital condyle; beak present; sternum well developed; amniotic; oviparous. Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metcarpal fused with distal carpals to form carpometacarpals; sternum well developed with keel. Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with interlocking mechanism; wings well developed. Order Strigiformes Eyes large, directed forwards; Aves - I: Observations and Genus Bubo Classification of Specimens Species bubo Conunon name Barn owl
Characters I i) l11e adult grows to 32 to 42cni in length. ii) The body is covered with glossy black plumage while the neck and breast are grey. I iii) Both sexes are similar. 1 iv) Tail feathers arc elongated. I i v) Eyes are large, beak elongated with a broad base, gradually tapering. 1 vi) Fect are well adapted for perchirlg, three toes in front and one behind
1 Fig. 31.3: Curvns. splerrde~ts. i 1 I Habit and Habitat t i Onlnivorous and scavengcr in fceding habit as they eat any thing from dead sewer rats i to kitcl~cnrehgc, insects, fiuits, grains, eggs, etc., therefore, is responsible for the i cleanliness of the surroundings. It is almost totally dependent on human presence. It 1 makes a large stick nest placed in a tree and is frequently yarasitised by the koel, P I i Geographical Distribution It is abundantly found throughout the peninsula of India and therefore is the most familiar bird of our towns and villages.
Classification with Justification Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement or movement of some of their body parts or capable of movement at some time of their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition. Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and pharyngeal gill slits presalt. Subphylum Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral coluinn; 2 pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system present; RBC present in blood. Class Aves Endothermic with feathers; forelimbs modified into wings, claws absent; hind limbs adapted for climbing pcrching or swimming; skull with single occipital condyle; beak present; sternum well developed; amniotic; oviparous. Animal Diversity Lab. Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; lnetcarpal fused with distal carpals to form carpometacarpals; sternum well developed with keel. Superorder Neognathae Skull neognatl~us;feathers wit11 interlocking mechanism; wings well developed. Order Passerifornles Because feet adapted for perching on trees and stones, highly developed syrinx. Genus Curvus Species splendens Com~nonname liowa, kag, crow
3 1.4.4 Dicrurus adsirnilis Characters i) Drongo is smaller and slimmer than the crow, about 28cm in size. ii) The body is covered with shining jet black feathers. iii) The long tail is so deeply forked that the two ends point in different directions. iv) The bill is small but sharply hooked and the eyes are red.
Habit and Habitat Drongo is commonly seen in the open country side around cultivation, perched on telegraph wires, fence posts, bush tops. The bird is very bold in defense of its nest, attacking and driving off birds as big as kites and crows.Its only food is insects, therefore plays a very important role in keeping down the insect pest population. Fig.31.4: Black drongo, Dicrurus arfsimi[is. Geographical Distribution It is quite comlnon in the Indian peninsula, China, Java etc.
Classification and Justification Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organislns with cells that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement or movement of some of their body parts or papable of movement at some time of their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition. Phylum Cl~ordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notocl~ordand pharyngeal gill slits present. Subphylum Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column; 2 pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system present; RBC present in blood. Class Aves Endothermic with feathers; forelimbs modified into wings, claws absent; hind limbs adapted for ,
climbing perchil~gor swimnming; skull wit11 I single occipital condyle; beak present; sternum well developed; amniotic; oviparous. Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; lnetcarpal fused I I with distal carpals to form carpometacarpals; I 1 sterliunl well developed with keel. I Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with I interlocking mecl~anism;wings well
developed. I Order Passeriformes Because feet adapted for perching on this I trees and stones, highly developed syrinx. I Genus Dicr~rrrrs I Species adsirnilis I I Coinmon name Bhujanga, kotwal, Black drongo 31.4.5 Columba livia Aves - I: Observations and Classification of Specimens 1 I Characters 1 i) The compact fusiforrn or boat shaped streamlined body measures about 32.5 cm. ii) It is a slate grey bird with glistening metallic green, purple and magenta sheen on ! the neck and upper breast. iii) Eyes amd feet are pink. I iv) Wings are well developed and suitable for rapid flight, feathers with interlocking system. I v) Two dark bars are present on the wings and a broader one across the end of the tail. vi) Feet are modified for bipedal locomotioil on the ground and for perching having three digits directed forwards and one backwards. t vii) Feet are covcred with epidermal scoots formed by tile fusion of several epidermal i i scales. viii)A short and slender beak is present , at the base of the beak there is a white patch 1 of skin called cere 1
Fig. 31.5: Blue rock pigeon - Colutttba livid.
' Habit and Habitat The wild fonns like to live in open couiltry with cliffs and rocky hills avoiding dense forest. In semi- do~nesticatedconditions it is a comn~ensalof man living in wharehouses, factory sl~edsother buildings , railway yards etc.
Being grain eaters they cause destruction in newly sown or harvested fields of cereals and pulses sllld groundnuts etc.
Geographical Distribution Columba is found in the Indian sub-continent, forested zone ofthe Pacific coast and United States.
Classification with Justification Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement or movement of some of thcir body parts or capable of movement at some time of their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition. Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and pharyngeal gill slits present. Subphylum Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column; 2 pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system prcsent; RBC present in blood. Animal Diversity Lab. Class Endothermic with feathers; forelinlbs modified into wings, claws absent; hind limbs adapted for climbing perching or swimming; skull with single occipital condyle; beak present; sternum well developed; amniotic; oviparous. Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metcarpal fused with distal carpals to form carpometacarpals; sternum well developed with keel. Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with interlocking mechanism; wings well developed, Order Passeriformes Because feet adapted for perching on this trees and stones, highly developed syrinx. Genus Columba Species livia Common name Pigeon, kabutar
31.4.6 Dendrocapus mehrattensis Characters i) Dendrocopus is a small woodpecker about the size of a bulbul(15 cm). ii) The upper plumage is irregularly spotted black and white with brownish~yellow forecrown and scarlet crest. iii) The under parts are whitish, streaked with brown on the breast and flanks with a scarlet crimson patch on the abdomen and under the tail. The female lacks the scarlet on the crown. iv) The tail is stiff and wedge shaped and the tail feathers are pointed at the tips. V) The feet are zygodactylus, that is, two of the toes are directed forwards and two directed backwards,well developed for climbing on tree trunks. vi) A highly specialized cldsel like bill for boring into wood to extract insects and excavate nest hole. vii) Tongue is protrusible and roughened with barbs near the tip to extract insects and grubs from cracks and bark of the tree trunks.
Rg. 31.6: Uendrocopus male and female.
Habit and Habitat Dendrocopus lives in pairs; inhabiting light scrub in country side , thin forest, mango orchards and other leafy trees. It bores neat nest holes often quite low down on a tree -trunk or branch. Geographical Distribution Aves - I: Observations and Classification of Specilnet~s Ilendrocopus is widely lstributcd in the Indian peninsula.
Classification and its Justification Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells hat lack a cell wall, many capable of movement or movement of s )tic of their body parts or capablc of movement at some tinie of their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition. Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular 11c1vc chord; rlotochord and pharyngeal gill slits prescnt. Subphylum Vertebrats Notochord is replaced by vertebral column; 2 pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system prcsent; RBC prescnt in blood. Class Aves Endotlicrmic with fcathcrs; forelimbs modified illto wings, claws absent; hind linlbs adaptcd for cli~nbingperching or swimming; sl 31.4.7 Psittuculn eupatrin Characters i) The large Indian par'akeet is about the sizc of a pigcon (approximately 33 cm), with a slender body and long pointed tail. ii) The body is covered with a brilli'mt grass grcen plumage with some bluish colour in the wing and tail feathers. iii) The female is green all ovcr but thc male has a rose pink collar and a black throat. iv) Wings are well developed and feathers have i~~tcrlocki~~gmechanism. v) The beak is short stout, broad at the base, sharply hooked and coral rcd in colour, well adapted for fructivorous habit. vi) The feet are zygodactylus having two digits (I1 and 111) directed forewards and the other two (I and IV) directcd back~vards,well adapted for climbing on tree lruks, grasping and holding. Fig. 31.7: Indian parakeet mule and female. Habit and Habitat Indian parakeet is a popular cage bird, and can inimic the huinan voice and speak words like humans.It lives in flocks and is commonly found near fruit trees,ripe crops and in thin forests.It is a scrious agricultural pest especially for fruit trees as it eats little and destroys enormous amounts. Geographical Distribution The large indian parakeet is commonly found all over the Indian sub-continent except in Pakistan where it is scarce. 129 - Animal Diversity Lab. Classification and Justification Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement movement of some of their body parts or capablr of movement at some time of their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition. Pliy lum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and pharyngeal gill slits present. Su bphy Lu~n Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral cotunin; 2 pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system present; RBC preser~tin blood. Class Aves Endothermic witli feathers; forelimbs modified into wings, claws absent; hind limbs adapted for climbing perching or swimming; skull witli single occipital condyle; beak present; sternum well developed; amniotic; oviparous. Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metcarpal fused with distal carpals to form carpometac~rpals; sternum we1 l developed witli keel. Superorder Neognatllae Sk~~llneognatlius; featliers with iliterlocking mechanism; wings well developed. Order Psittasiformes because of hinged upper beak, flesliy tongue. Genus Psiftaculn Species eupnlrin Com~nonname Tota, Suwa, Parakeet 3 1.4.8 Callus domesticus Characters i) The fowl differs from other pheasants in having a comb and wattles about the ilead and havi~iga tail more arched and curved. 4 The cock is about 75 cm in length. iii) The male and female are very different fiom each other in many features. iv) Tlie ~r~aleis larger and has bright plu~nageexcept in the tail and neck region; tail is very long and curved like a sickle. Wattles are present only in the males. v) The female is s~nallerlighter and shows less brighter plumage; tail feathers are much shorter and straight vi) Fowls have massive scratching feet witli long bony spur only in males. vii) Tlie wings are less developed capable of only sliort but powerful flight (except jungle fowl). viii) The fowl is graminivorous in feeding habit, therefore bears a short pointed and strong bill. Habit and Habitat The bird is comnionly kept in poultry farms and even in tlie houses for obtaining- meat, eggs and as a game bird for cock fighting.The wild form (jungle fowl-Gnllzis , gallus) lives in buslies in thin forested areas and bamboo jungles. I Geographical Distribution I Tlie fowl is co~n~nonlyfound all over tlze Indian sub-continent, and their distribution is seen eastwards to Indo china and Java. I I 1 130 Aves - I: Observations and Classification of Specimens Fig. 31.8: Domestic fowl. Male and female. ) Classification and Justification Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells that labk a cell wall, many capable of moveme~ltor niovement of some of their body parts or capable of movement at some time of their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition. Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and pharyngeal gill slits present. Subphylum Vertebrat~ Notochord is replaced by vertebral column; 2 pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system present; RBC present in blood. Endothermic with feathers; forelimbs inodified into wings, claws absent; hind limbs adapted for climbing perching or swimmir~g;skull with single occipital condyle; beak present; sternum well developed; amniotic; oviparous. Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metcarpal hsed with distal carpals to form carponletacarpals; sternum well developed witl~keel. Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with interlocking mechanism; wings well developed. Order Galliformes because herbivorous with strong beaks 'I and heavy feet. Ground nesting. Genus Gallus Species domesticus Common name fowl, murga 1 31.4.9 Eudynamys sculopocea I Characters I i) The body of Eudynamys is slender with a long tail, measuring upto 42cm in length. ii) Sexual dimorphism is well marked. The male is shining metallic black all over I with a strikrng yellowish green beak and crimson eyes. The female is brown,spotted and barred with white. Only the male sings. Animal Diversity Lab. Lr. *#i& 5ed#q*w1"'A Fig. 31.9: I Habit and Habitat Eudynanzys coinlnollly kllowll as koel, is an exalnplc of a parasitic bird. It builds no The koel mostly parasitiscs nest of its own but lays eggs in crow's nest leaving them to be hatched, and the young henests of crows. The koel stealthly lays its egg in the to be reared by the foster parents(see margill remark). Its food coilsists of banyan and crow's nest. The chick on peepal figs, various berries aid hairy caterpillars. hatching pushes [lie crow chicks out of the nest and the It is colnpletely arboreal, never descending to the ground. Thougll it is a very colnlnoil crow rears the young koel chick feeding it and even and well-known bird of leafy gardens and grooves it is better known for its fluty teaching it to fly! double call than its appearance. During winter it is silent and thus overloolted, and presumed to have migrated. It again starls to sing in spring and remains noisy during the hot summer. Geographical Distribution Koel is distributed througl~outIndia Pakistan Sri Lanka and Myaihinar. Classification and Justification Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms wit11 cells that lack a cell wall, many capable of lllovelnellt o movement of some of their body pai-ts or capable of movement at some tiine of their life cycle; heterotrophic nutrition. Phyl~~ln Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and pharyngeal gill slits present. Subphylum Vertebrata Notochod is replaced by vertebral coluinl~;2 . pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system present; RBC present in blood. Class Aves Endotllermic with feathers; forelimbs modified into wings, claws absent; hind liinbs adapted for climbing perching or swimming; skull with single occipital condyle; beak present; steri~iii~i well developed; amniotic; oviparous. Subclass Neornithes Tail short, encls in pygostyle; inetcarpal fused with distal carpals to form carpometacarpals; sternum well developed with keel. Superorder Neognathae Skull neognathus; feathers with Aves - I: 0bservations and interlocking mechanism; wings we1 l CInssificntion of Specimens developed. Order Cnculiformes Toes two in front and two behind, outer hind toe reversible; feet not adapted for grasping; tail long. Genus E~~clynnnzys Species scolopncerr Common name Cnckoo, koel, ltokila Characters i) Largest of all living birds reaching a length ol' 180 cm, height 2.60 m,weight 136 kg. ii) Allnost half of the height is duc to its long neck. iii) Flightless bird, strong runner with long strong legs, toes reduced to two al~liostlike hooves. iv) Males blaclc and white; female brown. Afte~.shnl'ts,down and filaplumes absent. v) Largest eggs, weight almost 1 6 kg. vi) Head small, heak short rathcr wide. Eyes large tvown with thiclt Iashcs. O Fig. 31.10: Ostricl~~nalcs, in their natural envirot~nlc~itin So11tl1 ~frics. Lives rnostly on plant matter, but takes a~lilnalfood, call go witllout water for long periods. Lives in groups of 5-50. Geographical Distribution Found widely in Soutller~lAfrica. Economic Importance Bred for their meat and feathers that are used in hats. Classification and justification Kingdom Animalia Animals, multi-cellular organisms with cells that lack a cell wall, many capable of movement or ~nove~nentofso~ne of their body parts or capable of movement at solne time of their life cycle; lreterotropl~icnutrition. . Animal Diversity Lab. Phylum Chordata Dorsal tubular nerve chord; notochord and pharyngeal gill slits present. Su bphylurn Vertebrata Notochord is replaced by vertebral column; 2 pairs of appendages; circulatory system closed; hepatic portal system present; RBC present in blood. Class Aves Endothermic with feathers; forelimbs modified into wings, claws absent; hind limbs adapted for climbing perching or swimming; skull with single occipital condyle; beak present, sternum well developed; amniotic; oviparous. Subclass Neornithes Tail short, ends in pygostyle; metcarpal fi~sed with distal carpals to form carpometacarpals; sternum well developed with keel. Superorder Paleognathae Modern birds with priinitive Archrosaurian palate; Ratites with unkeeled sternum and tinamous (keeled sternum). Order Struthinioformes flightless, 2 toed running birds Genus Struthio Species camelus Common name Ostrich 31.5 TERMINAL QUESTIONS 1. How are Ratitae and Carniate birds different from each other? 2. Distinguish between Passariformes and Cuculiformes species, ...... 3. Name atleast three Passariformes birds other than those described here, that you have seen in your surroundings. 4. What are the distinguishing feature of Falconiformes and Strigiformes? ...... Acknowledgment : Fig. No. 3 1.8 is an original figure drawn by Dr. Anjum Ara.