Avian Anatomy. Skeleton Modified for flight – Supports flight muscles (pectoral girdle, keel/sternum) – Withstands stress of flight – Wings – fewer, fused.

Avian Anatomy

Skeleton

• Modified for flight– Supports flight muscles (pectoral girdle, keel/sternum)– Withstands stress of flight– Wings – fewer, fused digits

• Reduced mass– Pneumatic bones- major bones hollow with struts, air

spaces connected to respiratory system– Fused bones- adds rigidity– Lack teeth- lightweight beak

• Fused bones:• Brain Case• Furcula: pair of clavicles• Thoracic vertebrae to ribs• Synsacrum: ilium, ischium, lumbar , sacral, and first 6 caudal vertebrae• Pygostyle: final few caudal vertebrae• Also fused bones in legs and wings

• Also note:• Uncinate processes• Sternum/keel• Arrangement and reduced number of digits

• More specifics on handout

Pneumatic Bone

• Not completely hollow, has struts• Connected to respiratory system• Major bones of body pneumatic

http://nm.audubon.org/education/EE%20Chapter1/Chapter1.htm

Main Flight Muscles •Pectoralis- downstroke•Supracoracodieus- upstroke•Complex muscles

Digestive System

• Crop• Gizzard• Colic caeca

Respiratory System• Very efficient• Unidirectional air

flow• System of air sacs– Average of 9– Serve variety of

functions• Lack muscular

diaphragm

Rest of Lab:

• Go through handout

• Look at skeletons, ID bones

• Preserved specimens, dissection and air sacks