Aerial Animals (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what aerial animals are and how they are classified. Also, what are its characteristics and some examples.

flamingo flying animals — Many birds are flying animals, like flamingos.

What are aerial animals?

aerial animals are those that can fly or move through the air under their own means using different body adaptations, such as wings or feathers. Their ability to move through the air does not mean that their habitat is there, but rather that they combine several territories to survive.

Some aerial animals have wings that allow them to move through the air and continue flying for a long time (controlling their direction, speed and height). Others move through the air but with less control of their flight (so they cannot cover very long distances). There are also aerial animals that can glide, despite not having wings, and they do so thanks to the anatomical shape of their body.

For some aerial animals, flight is the only way to get around. However, within this group there are also different species that have the ability to fly, but this action is conditioned by the anatomical structure and the need for survival of each species. For example, some can fly great distances (to migrate and avoid very low temperatures during winter or to search for food) and others can only move for a few moments in the air (to defend itself from predators or hunt its prey).

Types of aerial animals

ant flying animals — Flying ants develop wings only in their reproductive season.

Aerial animals can belong to the following groups:

Birds They are warm-blooded vertebrate animals, characterized by being bipedal, capable of making small jumps and, sometimes, walking. Birds have a light skeleton, wings and their body is covered with feathers (a defining characteristic of birds) that provide protection against low temperature, wind, humidity and intense sun. The body adaptations that allow them to fly are their light bones, specialized feathers (which increase the surface area of the wing), very powerful pectoral muscles, and circulatory and respiratory systems that allow them to maintain a high metabolism. While the vast majority of birds have the ability to fly, there are some exceptions, such as penguins and ostriches, which do not fly.
All birds are oviparous, that is, they reproduce using eggs that the females lay and hatch until the offspring are born. In addition, they all have beaks instead of mouths, and their diet is very varied, depending on the species.
Insects They are invertebrate animals, that is, they have an exoskeleton that provides support to the organism. They usually have three pairs of legs, two pairs of wings and antennae, which serve as the main sensory organ through which they experience touch, smell, hearing and sense of orientation. Their wings are located on the thorax and are composed of light membranes, although in some cases they are colored. Some insects do not use their wings to fly, but to attract the female during courtship. There are also others in which the wings are not even present.
The reproduction of this group is mainly oviparous and sexual, although there are some cases of asexual reproduction. As for their diet, they can feed on vegetables, other smaller insects and even remains and waste.
Mammals The only mammal capable of flying is the bat or bat, a warm-blooded vertebrate animal that has four limbs. In addition, it has a thin membrane of elastic skin between its extremities, called patagio, which allows it to sustain itself during flight and move through the air.
Bats are viviparous, so they do not lay eggs, but rather their young develop in the female's belly until they are born. Regarding their diet, they feed mainly on fruits and insects.
Gliding animals It is a group of animals that, although they do not have the ability to fly or make controlled movements, can travel certain short distances, taking advantage of air currents as a means of transportation. They are characterized by being small and light animals, with little body fat, and by having an extension of skin (similar to that of bats) that they use as a “parachute”. An example is flying squirrels, which can jump between trees and glide until they reach another nearby plant. It is also possible to find examples of gliding reptiles, such as some species of lizards and even snakes.

Characteristics of aerial animals

bat flying animals — The bat is the only mammal capable of flying in a controlled and sustained manner.

aerial animals are mainly characterized by being able to fly using their wings, through momentum in the air. These wings are covered with feathers in the case of birds, and are made up of silky membranes in the case of insects. There are also some animals that have wings and cannot fly.

In addition to wings, the bodies of aerial animals have other modifications that allow them to fly and move through the air. For example, birds have light skeletons, feathers (which increase the surface area of the wings), strengthened pectoral muscles and cardiovascular systems that allow them to have a high metabolism (in accordance with the high energy consumption during flight).

The general type of reproduction is oviparous that is, through eggs that are deposited in the external environment (such as on the ground, in the heights of trees or on the banks of water). The exception is bats, which are mammals and, therefore, viviparous. As for your habitat aerial animals do not live exclusively in the air but they also live on land or in water. That is why they can feed on seeds, fruits, worms and carrion, among others.

Continue with: Aquatic animals

Examples of aerial animals

Toucan — The toucan stands out for its thick, long and colorful beak.

Some examples of aerial animals are:

The hummingbird Also known as the “hummingbird”, it is the smallest bird in the world, within the group of vertebrates. Their wings can move between twenty and one hundred times per second and, when the male wants to impress a female, he can flap his wings up to two hundred times per second. It is the only species capable of flying in all directions and even levitating in place.
The cockatoo It is a bird considered very intelligent and distinguished by its peculiar tuft of yellow feathers. It has an anatomy similar to that of the parrot, due to the shape of its beak and legs, but its feathers are white. It lives in Australia, Indonesia, Puerto Rico and New Zealand. Its type of reproduction is monogamous, it stays in pairs in the same nest for more than four years and it likes to fly in groups.
The eagle It is the largest predatory bird that with its powerful claws and strong muscles can catch prey of the same weight and take flight. It can fly up to two hundred kilometers per hour and, thanks to its excellent vision, it can see its prey from two thousand meters away. Females are larger than males, their type of reproduction is monogamous and they remain together for several years.
The toucan. It is considered an exotic species and stands out for its thick, long and colorful beak, which it uses to defend itself and to feed on tropical fruits, insects, lizards and eggs. It is native to tropical areas of America and is characterized by being sedentary and living its entire life in the same area, that is, it is not a migratory bird. I came in pairs (it is monogamous) or in flocks of about six members.
The flamenco It is a bird that is distinguished by its long legs and long, curved neck. It lives in tropical areas, near salt waters. The color of its plumage varies depending on the species, but pink predominates. It feeds on algae, larvae, insects, crustaceans, mollusks and small fish. It is very sociable and communicates with its own species (especially with its young) through nasal sounds.
The ladybug It is an insect from the group of arthropods, of the invertebrate type, also known as the “San Antonio vaquita”. It has a kind of shell that turns out to be, in reality, a pair of thick brightly colored wings (red, orange or yellow, with black polka dots) that cover and protect its functional wings. During the winter, they usually group together in ten or fifteen individuals to protect themselves from the cold. It feeds on plants, mites, aphids and mealybugs, among others.
The flying ant The ant is a very sociable insect that usually lives in large, organized communities underground. Flying ants are those that develop wings only during their reproductive season (an act called “nuptial flight”). It feeds on fruits, plants, rotting meat and mainly on a type of fungus that grows through the leaves it collects.
The moth It is an invertebrate insect that has wings covered with scales. It belongs to the group of “night butterflies” but has a smaller build and is less showy than a butterfly. It is characterized by going through a complete metamorphosis, that is, it goes through four stages throughout its life: that of an egg, that of a larva, that of a cocoon and finally that of an adult in the form of a moth (or butterfly). nocturnal). During adulthood, it feeds on the nectar of flowers and lives a short time, just a few weeks.