Excretion and Osmoregulation — Biology STD 11 Science — Question

1. Birds are capable of converting ammonia into uric acid by ‘inosinic acid pathway’ in their liver.
2. Uric acid is least toxic and hence, it can be retained in the body for some time.
3. It is least soluble water hence, negligible amount of water is required for its elimination.
4. This mode of excretion can also help reduce body weight (an adaptation for flight) and those animals which
   need to conserve more water follow uricotelism.

Hence, in order to conserve water as an adaptation for flight, birds are uricotelic in nature.