Avian Vocabulary - Veterinary Assistant

Question 1

Psittacines

Answer 1

parrots

Question 2

T or F: Psittacines do not make up the majority of avian patients

Answer 2

false

Question 3

Why are psittacines known as hookbills?

Answer 3

because of their curved upper beaks

Question 4

Zygodactyl

Answer 4

feet shaped with second and third toes pointing forwards while the first and fourth toes are facing backwards

Question 5

Passerines

Answer 5

small birds with a pointed/slightly curved beak

Question 6

Anisodactyl

Answer 6

feet shaped where three toes point forwards and one points backwards

Question 7

T or False: Canaries and starlings are the most frequently owned passerines.

Answer 7

false - Canaries and finches are the most frequently owned passerines

Question 8

Common psittacines seen in Avian practice

Answer 8

Cockatoo
Macaw
Lovebird
Canure
African Grey
Amazon
Parakeet/Budgerigar
Lori
Lorikeet
Caique
Cockatiel

Question 9

Common passerines seen in Avian practice

Answer 9

Finches
Canaries

Question 10

Cere

Answer 10

area around nostrils, beak and the nails which are fleshier than the rest of the body

Question 11

Uropygial gland

Answer 11

one major skin gland - found dorsally at the base of the tail

Question 12

Contour feathers

Answer 12

cover the body and wings - flight feathers/body feathers

Question 13

Primary flight feathers

Answer 13

remiges - found on the outer end of the wing

Question 14

Secondary flight feathers

Answer 14

located on the wing between body and primaries

Question 15

Body feathers

Answer 15

coverts - provide surface coverage over rest of bird

Question 16

Down feathers

Answer 16

insulates the bird and have a soft, fluffy appearance

Question 17

Powder down

Answer 17

breaks down to produce a white, dusty powder - used to clean/waterproof other feathers

Question 18

Molting

Answer 18

periodic replacement of old feathers - out with the old and in with the new!

Question 19

What happens if a ‘blood feather’ breaks?

Answer 19

they can bleed profusely which could lead to the death of the bird

Question 20

Pneumatized

Answer 20

bones that contain air - these bones have thin walls which makes them lighter and more fragile

Question 21

Keel

Answer 21

large sternum that supports the pectoral muscles

Question 22

T or F: The pectoral muscles are needed for flight

Answer 22

true

Question 23

Synascrum

Answer 23

stabilizes back during flight

Question 24

The pectorals account for approximately ___% of the birds body weight

Answer 24

20%

Question 25

Operculum

Answer 25

cornified flap of tissue located behind the nares in the nasal cavity

Question 26

Choana

Answer 26

slitlike opening in the roof of the mouth - V-shaped notched

Question 27

Syrinx

Answer 27

voice box of birds