Name a type of vertebrate that has wings and a beak.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Bird
Birds are a type of vertebrate that possess both wings and a beak. They belong to the class Aves within the animal kingdom. As vertebrates, birds have a backbone made of vertebrae that supports their bodies and protects their spinal cords. One of the most distinctive features of birds is their adaptation for flight, though not all birds are capable of flying. Their wings, which are modified forelimbs, are typically covered with feathers, another defining feature of this group.
The beak, or bill, of a bird is a bony structure covered in keratin. It serves various purposes depending on the bird’s diet and environment. For example, a hawk has a sharp, hooked beak designed for tearing meat, while a hummingbird has a long, slender beak suitable for sipping nectar from flowers. Unlike mammals, birds do not have teeth. Instead, their beaks are specialized tools for feeding, grooming, and manipulating objects.
Wings in birds are structured with bones similar to those in the human arm. These include the humerus, radius, and ulna, along with smaller bones in the wrist and hand. The wing shape, size, and strength vary depending on the species and their flying capabilities. Birds such as eagles and falcons have strong, broad wings suited for soaring and diving, while penguins have flipper-like wings used for swimming rather than flying.
Birds are warm-blooded, lay hard-shelled eggs, and have a high metabolic rate. They also possess a unique respiratory system that allows for efficient oxygen exchange during flight. With over 10,000 known species, birds are among the most diverse and widespread vertebrates on Earth, occupying nearly every habitat from forests and deserts to oceans and polar regions.