Birds Comprehensive Quiz (CK-12)

Can all birds fly?

• Yes, all birds can fly.

• No, only some birds can fly.

• No, all birds are flightless.

• Yes, but only during certain seasons.

What structures contribute to a bird's ability to fly?

• Heavy bones and small wings

• Streamlined body and powerful chest muscles

• Thick skin and large feet

• Short tail and flat beak

What allows a bird's skeleton to be light but also rigid enough for flight?

• Solid bones with no air spaces

• Hollow bones with air spaces and fused bones

• Flexible bones with cartilage

• Heavy bones with dense marrow

What are the largest muscles found in birds and why?

• Leg muscles, for running

• Neck muscles, for balance

• Pectoralis major muscles, for wing movement

• Tail muscles, for steering

How is the molecular structure of feathers different from mammalian hair?

• Feathers are made of alpha-keratin, which is softer

• Feathers are made of beta-keratin, which is stiffer

• Feathers are made of collagen, which is more flexible

• Feathers are made of elastin, which is more elastic

What are the two types of feathers found in birds?

• Flight feathers and tail feathers

• Contour feathers and down feathers

• Insulation feathers and display feathers

• Primary feathers and secondary feathers

How and why do birds preen?

• To clean, align, and oil their feathers using their beaks

• To attract mates with colorful displays

• To build nests with their feathers

• To scare away predators with loud noises

Describe the unique structure of a bird's respiratory system and how it functions.

• It includes air sacs and allows a one-way loop of air flow

• It has a single lung for efficient breathing

• It uses gills to extract oxygen from water

• It relies on external air pressure for breathing

Why do some birds regurgitate pellets?

• To expel indigestible materials like bones and fur

• To feed their young with pre-digested food

• To mark their territory with scent

• To attract mates with unique sounds

Which dinosaurs have been discovered to have feathers?

• Velociraptor, Microraptor, Sinosauropteryx, Anchiornis

• Tyrannosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus

• Allosaurus, Diplodocus, Iguanodon, Spinosaurus

• Pterodactyl, Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus, Mosasaurus