Avians (Exotics) Flashcards
What is the purpose of feathers?
Flight, insulation, attracting a mate
What are the two types of primary feathers?
Remiges & retrices
Which feathers are the remiges?
Primary wing feathers
Carpus and metacarpus
Which feathers are the retrices?
Main tail feathers (pogostyle)
Where are secondary feathers found?
Originate at radius and ulna
Where are contour feathers found?
All over the body, deep to the primary feathers
What is the purpose of down feathers?
Produce powder down
What are the tracts called where feathers grow? *
Pterylae
What are the featherless tracts called? *
apterylae
What is the main shaft of the feather called?
rachis
How does the vane of the feather stick together?
Barbs attached to the rachis & barbules attached to the barbs
What is a blood feather?
Also called pin feather. New feather growing in that has blood supply.
If a blood feather is broken, what do you need to do?
Typically necessary to pull it
Describe the skin of birds
Very thin, only 2-4 cell layers thick.
Very little (if any)subcutaneous tissue)
What is the wing web called?
Patagium
What are the two glands that can be found in avians?
Uropygial (preen) gland *
Ear gland
T/F ear glands are found in most birds
FALSE. Absent in most birds
What color do birds bruise? Why?
green. Lack enzymes to convert biliverdin to bilirubin
How many cervical vertebrae do birds have?
8-25
Where do the pectoral muscles attach in birds?
Keel bone
Which limbs must you avoid for IO injection & why?
Femur and humerus. They are pneumatic bones
What are the bones of the hind limb in birds?
Femur, tibiotarsus, tarsometatarsus, phalanges
What are the bones of the wing/forelimb?
Humerus, radius, ulna, ulnar&carpal bones, major & minor carpal bones, phalanges, alula
