Avian Anatomy, Biology, & Husbandry Flashcards
What is the metabolic rates of birds like?
HIGH
- quick clearance of drugs
- sick/lethargic = more likely to become anorexic
How does avian integument compare to mammals?
- thinner
- minimal blood supply and nerves
- no generalized sweat glands
What is the uropygial gland?
preen/oil gland found at the base of the tail responsible for waterproofing and insulating feathers
- common site for cancer in parrots
- not present in all birds
What is the rhamphotheca? What 2 divisions does it have?
keratinous component of the beak
- rhinotheca - keratinous sheath of upper beak
- gnathotheca - keratinous sheath of lower beak
What is the egg tooth?
small, sharp projection at the tip of beaks of young birds used to initially break the egg and allow hatching
What is the cere? How is it used for sexing birds?
area of thin, soft keratin around the nostrils of some bird species
in budgies and parakeets, it will be colored blue in males and brown in females
What ornamental features are commonly found in chickens and turkeys? What is the purpose of these features?
- CHICKEN - ear lobe remanent, comb, wattle
- TURKEY - snood
thermoregulation, mate attraction, indicator of health
What are avian ears like?
holes in the side of the head, lacking external structure
What are 4 functions of feathers?
- insulation
- flight
- waterproofing
- courtship
aka plumage - can weigh 2-3x more than skeleton
What are feathers? How do they look when they first sprout?
keratinized epidermis derived from specialized follicles in the dermis
blood/pin feather - growing feather with healthy arterial/venous blood supply, which degenerates as the feather matures
Parts of a feather:
How are feathers arranged?
not attached to skin evenly, but concentrated into tracts
- pterylae = feathered area
- apterylae = featherless area, common near jugular
What are the 2 types of feathers?
- CONTOUR - flight feathers
- COVERT - down feathers
What are the 2 types of contour feathers?
- remiges - “rower” feathers on the wing (10 primary, 10-20 secondary)
- retrices - “rudder” features on the tail
Why must interosseous injections be done carefully in birds?
some communicate with the respiratory system
Avian musculoskeletal system:
What is the keel?
enlarged sternum that acts as the attachment site of pectoral muscles important for flight and respiration
- also used for BCS
What is proper technique for restraining birds?
NEVER restrict the keel —> must be able to move up and down for respiration
- dorsal recumbency preferred for general anesthesia
What additional function do avian long bones have? In what 2 ways do they compare to mammals?
pneumatic - extension of the respiratory system
- medullary trabecular bones containing bony spicules, which act as calcium reserves for egg production
- thin with brittle cortices as an adaption for flight (not suitable for plating)
What are 3 locations in the spinal cord that are fused in birds? Why?
- notarium - dorsal spinous processes of most thoracic vertebrae
- synsacrum - remaining thoracic vertebrae, all lumbar and sacral vertebrae, and first few caudal vertebrae
- pygostyle - most caudal 3-4 vertebrae
keeps spine stiff during flight
What are the 2 major bones that make up the scapular girdle?
- furcula (red) - well-developed clavicle and is fused (wishbone)
- coracoid (green) - articulates with scapula (purple), clavicle, and keel; commonly associated with wing trauma
What is unique about the thoracic limb of birds? What makes up this limb?
ulna is larger than the radius and is the preferred site of IO catheter (+ not pneumatic)
- humerus
- 2 carpal bones - radius, ulna
- carpometacarpus - major, minor
- 3 digits - first digit (alula) may contain 1-2 phalanges
What is the patagium?
skin from neck to carpus used for aerodynamic lift