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Pg. 9-54
Avian Anatomy
Avian anatomy, or the physiological structure of
birds bodies, shows many unique adaptations,
mostly aiding flight.
Avian have evolved a light skeletal system and
light but powerful musculature which, along with
circulatory and respiratory systems capable of
very high metabolic rates and oxygen supply,
permit the bird to fly.
The development of a beak has led to evolution
of a specially adapted digestive system. These
anatomical specializations have earned birds
their own class in the vertebrate phylum.
Topography
(External Anatomy)
Topography
(External Anatomy)
Integument
A birds body is covered by skin and its
derivates: the beak, claws, and feathers. These
structures cover and protect the internal organs
and block the entrance of disease-causing
organisms.
The skin of the birds consist of two layers; an
outer layer the epidermis and the inner layer
called dermis
The epidermis is relatively thin and consists of
flattened epithelial cells that produce keratin
The dermis is thicker and consists of a fibrous
connective tissue. Smooth muscles in the
dermis innervate feather follicles to help in the
regulation of heat
Integument
The very thin skin is difficult to suture,
usually requiring 4-0 or 5-0 suture
The feet are an exception in that they
usually have tick, prominent scales in the
non-feather regions to protect them from
trauma
Birds bruise green because they lack
biliverdin reductase
Glands
Unlike mammals, birds dont
posses sweat glands
The one major skin gland
that most birds posses is
called the uropygial gland
or preen gland located on the
dorsal surface at the upper
base of the tail
This gland secrets oily, fatty
substance and birds use
their beaks to spread around
their body
This gland is lacking in some
parrots (amazons), ostriches
and a few other species
Beaks
Beak
One derivate of birds skin is
its beak or bill. It consists
of an upper and lower
mandible and is covered
with tough, horny keratin
layer that grows
continuously
Beaks vary in their hardness
and flexibility depending
on their function
Claws
Reduced mass
Pneumatic bones- major bones hollow with struts,
air spaces connected to respiratory system
Fused bones- adds rigidity
Lack teeth- lightweight beak
Skeletal System
The bird skeleton is highly
adapted for flight. It is
extremely lightweight but
strong enough to withstand
the stresses of taking off,
flying, and landing.
http://nm.audubon.org/education/EE
Skeletal composition
A bird's head (skull) is dominated
by the large eye sockets
(orbits) which take up so much
space that the braincase
(cranium) is pushed to the
back
The skull consists of five major
bones: the frontal (top of
head), parietal (back of head),
premaxillary and nasal (top
beak), and the mandible
(bottom beak). The skull of a
normal bird usually weighs
about 1% of the birds total
bodyweight.
The chest consists of
the furcula (wishbone)
and coracoid (collar
bone), which two
bones, together with
the scapula form the
pectoral girdle. The
side of the chest is
formed by the ribs,
which meet at the
sternum (mid-line of
the chest).
The shoulder consists of the
scapula (shoulder blade),
coracoid (see The Chest),
and humerus (upper arm).
The humerus joins the
radius and ulna (forearm) to
form the elbow. The bones
in the wing are extremely
light so that the bird can fly
more easily.
Beak
Excellent example of adaptation
to diet
Highly specialized beaks such
as hummingbirds, crossbills,
and snail kite
Prepare food for swallowing
Remove poorly digested
portions (e.g. seed, snail
shells, bones)
Avian Digestive Tract
Tongue Has 3 primary roles
Collecting food sticky tongue of woodpeckers, long thin tongue hummingbirds
Manipulating food in mouth
Muscular tongue of finches and parrots for handling seeds
Fish eating birds have stiff papilla
Filter feeding birds have bristles that mesh with lamellae on bill to form sieve
Swallowing may have papilla to direct food items toward the back of the mouth
Avian Saliva
Oviduct
Female Reproductive Tract
Ovary Most female birds
have one functionally ovary
(on the left)
Infundibulum - site of
fertilization
Magnum - albumin addition
Isthmus - membranes
Uterus - shell gland
Vagina - transport to
exterior
Sperm storage occurs at
various sites in tract in
some species
Reproductive cont..
Males have two testis and a
rudimentary fold of tissue
called a phallus instead of a
penis
Most bird species rub their
cloacal areas together to
transfer the male's sperm but
ostriches, rheas, strokes,
flamingos, ducks and a few
other families actually have
an erectile grooved penis on
the back wall of the cloaca to
transfer sperm.
Reproductive activity
The small species, such as cockatiels,
can be reproductively active as early as
6 months of age
Larger species, such as macaws, may
not be reproductively active until over 3
years of age
Cockatiels are prolific breeders, and
females can lay many eggs even in the
absence of a male bird
Commonly, egg-laying female cockatiels
on a seed diet become egg bound,
requiring ER medical assistance
Incubation
Chickens 8
Serve variety of functions
The nostrils or nares are
usually located at the base of
the beak. In psittacines
(parrots) they are located
within the area of the cere
The nasal cavity is divided
into a right and left side by a
nasal septum. This septum is
composed of cartilage and
bone
A large sinus known as the
infraorbital sinus, surrounds
the eye and extends into the
upper and lower beak
The larynx is at the entrance
of the trachea. The opening
of the larynx is the glottis.
Birds differ from mammals in
that the larynx does not have
vocal chords and therefore is
not involved in voice
production.
The trachea is formed by a
series of ring-shaped
cartilages, which are
completely closed in birds*
The trachea bifurcates
(divides) after entering the
thoracic cavity. The syrinx or
voice box is located at this
bifurcation.
*easy to intubate
Anatomically, their lungs
are connected to large
thin-walled air sacs,
which appear to function
sort of like bellows rather
than like lungs, such that
they have a minimal
blood supply and they
are not involved in gas
exchange.
The nine air sacs also act Oxygen exchange in the
as a cooling system since
birds do not have sweat bird occurs on inspiration
glands. and expiration
Renal System
Mammalian and reptilian type nephrons are
present, therefore birds produce liquid urine and
pasty white urates
Note that kidney in birds is not measured by BUN