What is the Difference Between Aves and Mammals?

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The main differences between Aves (birds) and Mammals are:

  1. Body Covering: Aves have feathers, while mammals have hair or fur.
  2. Birthing Process: Birds lay eggs, while mammals give birth to live young.
  3. Mammary Glands: Mammals have mammary glands to feed their offspring, while Aves do not have these glands.
  4. Forelimbs: Aves have modified forelimbs into wings, while mammals have forelimbs for climbing, walking, and running.
  5. Bones: Aves possess light and hollow bones, while mammals have solid and dense bones.
  6. Heart and Circulation: Aves have a larger heart relative to their body size and mass compared to mammals. Both Aves and mammals have a four-chambered heart and are warm-blooded animals.
  7. Red Blood Cells: Red blood cells of Aves are nucleated, while those of mammals are not. Aves have elliptical red blood cells, while mammals have round red blood cells.

Despite these differences, both Aves and mammals share some common characteristics, such as being multicellular, eukaryotic animals with a backbone, well-developed brain, circulatory system, and a four-chambered heart.

Comparative Table: Aves vs Mammals

Here is a table comparing the differences between Aves and Mammals:

Feature Aves (Birds) Mammals
Covering Feathers Hair or fur
Reproduction Lay eggs Give birth to young ones
Mammary Glands Absent Present
Forelimbs Modified into wings Not modified into wings
Bones Hollow and light Solid and heavy
Beak Present Absent
Examples Parrots, was, blue jay Humans, dogs, goat, elephants

Aves, or birds, are characterized by their feathers, forelimbs modified into wings, and hollow bones. They lay eggs and do not have mammary glands. On the other hand, mammals have hair or fur on their body, give birth to their young ones, and possess mammary glands for feeding their offspring. Their forelimbs are not modified into wings, and their bones are solid and heavy.