Birds 1 Flashcards
What are birds closely related to?
reptiles
What are the adaptations the bird has for flight?
- Warm-blooded
- Less dense
- Aerodynamic
What does warm blood provide for flight adaptation?
insulation and higher metabolic rate
What makes the bird aerodynamic?
wings and rigid structure
What is pneumatic bone?
Bone has pockets of air that are continuous with the respiratory system, allowing them to be less dense
What birds do not have pneumatic bone?
ostrich, diving birds, penguins
What bones are pneumatic?
proximal humerus, femur, vertebrae
What is the size of the bird’s eye in relation to brain?
Large
What are scleral ossicles?
Ring of bone inside the eye that supports the eye
How many occipital condyles does the bird have and what is the purpose?
1; helps with wider range of rotation of the neck
How does the jaw move and what is this called?
Cranial kinesis - upper jaw moves while the brain case remains stationary
What allows for cranial kinesis?
Craniofacial hinge at the base of the upper beak
What species have a synovial joint at the craniofacial hinge?
Psittacines (parrots)
How many cervical vertebrae are there?
Variable, can have 8-21
What is the purpose of having many cervical vertebrae?
Can bend neck a lot more, grooming, grasping of food
What is the notarium?
Fusion of last cervical and several thoracic vertebrae; is not always present
How many free thoracic vertebrae are there?
Usually 1 or more
What types of vertebrae make up the synsacrum?
(+/-) Caudal thoracic, lumbar, sacral, caudal
Where does the synsacrum sit?
DEEP to the pelvis, has a lot of stability
What is the pygostyle?
Fusion of distal caudal vertebrae
What are the 2 types of ribs of the bird?
Vertebral (project caudoventrally) and sternal (project caudodorsally)
What is the keel?
Ventral projection of the fused sternum; not present in all spp.
How can the keel be indicative of disease?
If you can readily feel the keel, there has been atrophy of the pectoral mm. and you can palpate the keep easily
What birds have flat sternums (i.e. no keel)?
ostriches
What makes up the triosseal canal?
scapula, coracoid, clavicle
What is another name for the clavicle?
Fused furcula or wishbone
Where does the glenoid cavity project?
laterally
What does the coracoid look like in relation to mammals and what is its function?
It is enlarged; limits compression of thorax during flight
Where do the pectoral mm. attach and what happens when they contract?
Attach to proximal aspect of humerus; contraction causes downstroke in flight
What muscle goes through the triosseal canal?
supracoracoid
Where does the supracoracoid m. attach and what happens when it contracts?
Attaches on dorsal aspect of proximal humerus; contraction causes upstroke in flight
What bone of the antebrachium is larger?
ulna
What is the fused bone of the antebrachium?
carpometacarpus
What is the alula?
First digit that is present (digit #2)
On which side is the pelvis incomplete?
ventrally
What is the shape of the pubis?
thin and long
Where is the renal fossa?
On ventral aspect of pelvis medial to the obturator foramen
What are the functions of the antitrochanter?
- Transfer rotational stability to femur
2. Limits abduction of pelvic limb