Comparative Anatomy. Avian-Integument Keratin-needed to produce scales, feathers and beaks and claws. –Dermis very thin-slow to heal. –Best sites of

Comparative Comparative AnatomyAnatomy

Avian-IntegumentAvian-Integument Keratin-needed to produce scales, feathers and Keratin-needed to produce scales, feathers and

beaks and claws.beaks and claws.– Dermis very thin-slow to heal.Dermis very thin-slow to heal.– Best sites of subQ-wing folds and dorsal trunk and neckBest sites of subQ-wing folds and dorsal trunk and neck

““fluffed birds”-erector muscle of the dermis raise fluffed birds”-erector muscle of the dermis raise feathers to trap body heatfeathers to trap body heat– Fluffed and at the bottom of the cage-Not GOOD!!Fluffed and at the bottom of the cage-Not GOOD!!

Glands-no sweat glandsGlands-no sweat glands– Uropygial or preen glandUropygial or preen gland

Dorsal aspect of tailDorsal aspect of tail Helps clean and waterproof feathersHelps clean and waterproof feathers

Avian-IntegumentAvian-Integument

Beak/Bill-upper and lower mandible; Beak/Bill-upper and lower mandible; equivalent of mammalian lipsequivalent of mammalian lips– Tearing foodTearing food– Capture foodCapture food– PreeningPreening– Picking up material-nestingPicking up material-nesting

Claws-specialized scalesClaws-specialized scales– Beaks and Claws grow continuallyBeaks and Claws grow continually

Avian IntegumentAvian Integument

Combs, Wattles and SnoodCombs, Wattles and Snood– Specialized adaptationSpecialized adaptation– Can be trimmed off to prevent damage Can be trimmed off to prevent damage

in commercial operationsin commercial operations– Chickens below showing signs of Avian Chickens below showing signs of Avian

InfluenzaInfluenza

Normal Comb-right

Swollen Wattles

Snood


Cere=fleshy membrane at the base of the Cere=fleshy membrane at the base of the beak, location of naresbeak, location of nares– Budgerigars-helps sex mature budgies??Budgerigars-helps sex mature budgies??

– White ring around nares-female?? DNA White ring around nares-female?? DNA testing??testing??

Blue-male Brown-female

Male or Female??Male or Female??

Avian-IntegumentAvian-Integument

FeathersFeathers– Functions: flight, protection, Functions: flight, protection,

thermoregulation, camouflage, thermoregulation, camouflage, behaviors (courtship, defense, behaviors (courtship, defense, recognition)recognition)

Avian- IntegumentAvian- Integument

Feather AnatomyFeather Anatomy– Inferior Umbilicus-vesselsInferior Umbilicus-vessels– Superior Umbilicus- small Superior Umbilicus- small

hole-start of the webbed hole-start of the webbed portionportion

– Calamus-quill; between Calamus-quill; between IU and SUIU and SU

– Rachis-main feather shaftRachis-main feather shaft– Vane-weblike, flattened Vane-weblike, flattened

part of featherpart of feather


Vane is made up of Vane is made up of barbs, barbules and barbs, barbules and hooklets (interlock)hooklets (interlock)

Looser feather weaveLooser feather weave– Feels softerFeels softer– Allows air to pass Allows air to pass

through-creating silent through-creating silent flightflight


Types of FeathersTypes of Feathers– Contour-main feather that covers the Contour-main feather that covers the

birds body; flight feathers, tail feathersbirds body; flight feathers, tail feathers


Types of FeathersTypes of Feathers– Semiplume- located under contour Semiplume- located under contour

feathers, on sides of the abdomen, feathers, on sides of the abdomen, along neck and backalong neck and backLack barbules and hookletsLack barbules and hooklets Insulation and BuoyancyInsulation and Buoyancy

– Down-lack a true shaft, Down-lack a true shaft,

barbules and hooklets barbules and hooklets InsulationInsulation

Semiplume

Down


Types of feathersTypes of feathers– Filoplume- bare shaft with no barbs Filoplume- bare shaft with no barbs

except at the tipexcept at the tipDorsal back/neckDorsal back/neckSensory role –pressure and vibration senseSensory role –pressure and vibration sense

– Bristle-Bristle-Sense of touchSense of touchAround eyes, nostrils, mouth, and toesAround eyes, nostrils, mouth, and toes


Feather typesFeather types– Powder Down FeatherPowder Down Feather

Continually growingContinually growingProduce a waxy powder Produce a waxy powder

for cleaning and for cleaning and waterproofing feathers.waterproofing feathers.

Birds without preen gland Birds without preen gland - Herons- Herons


Feather DamageFeather Damage– Chewing, mitesChewing, mites– Stress bars-stress during growth phase Stress bars-stress during growth phase

of feather; weakened vane and barbs of feather; weakened vane and barbs lack barbules—Nutritional stresslack barbules—Nutritional stress


Molting=the process of feather Molting=the process of feather replacementreplacement– Species variationSpecies variation– Influenced by season, temperature, Influenced by season, temperature,

nutrition, egg laying, species and sexnutrition, egg laying, species and sex– Generally symmetrical and gradual Generally symmetrical and gradual

replacement of flight feathersreplacement of flight feathers– Waterfowl-molt all their flight feathers at Waterfowl-molt all their flight feathers at

once right after breeding season-once right after breeding season-PostnuptialPostnuptial


MoltingMolting– Requires good quality nutritionRequires good quality nutrition– 4-12% body weight is feathers!4-12% body weight is feathers!– Germinal cells in dermal papilla Germinal cells in dermal papilla

activated by:activated by: Increasing day lengthIncreasing day length

– Stimulates pituitary and thyroid gland to produce Stimulates pituitary and thyroid gland to produce hormonehormone

– Sex hormones also play a roleSex hormones also play a role

– Blood feather=growing featherBlood feather=growing feather

Feather DevelopmentFeather Development

Avian-wing trimAvian-wing trim

Blood feathers?Blood feathers? ““They still fly”They still fly”

– We aren’t We aren’t preventing flight, preventing flight, but preventing but preventing them from them from reaching great reaching great heights!heights!

– Glide quite well!!Glide quite well!!

Avian Musculoskeletal SystemAvian Musculoskeletal System

Birds-175-200 paired musclesBirds-175-200 paired muscles

Skeletal muscle-White or Red muscleSkeletal muscle-White or Red muscle– White fibers-low blood flow, little White fibers-low blood flow, little

myoglobinmyoglobinUses stored glycogen for contractionUses stored glycogen for contractionFlight muscles of short distance fliersFlight muscles of short distance fliers

– Red fibers-thinner, rich blood supply, fat, Red fibers-thinner, rich blood supply, fat, myoglobin and mitochondriamyoglobin and mitochondriaFlight muscle of long distance fliersFlight muscle of long distance fliers

Avian Musculoskeletal SystemAvian Musculoskeletal System

Major flight musclesMajor flight muscles– Pectoral mm-Adducts and depresses Pectoral mm-Adducts and depresses

wingwing– Suprocoracoideus mm-Abducts and Suprocoracoideus mm-Abducts and

elevates the wingelevates the wing

Avian M/S systemAvian M/S system

Skeleton-adaptation to allow flightSkeleton-adaptation to allow flight– Reduce number of bonesReduce number of bones– Fuse bones to form plates to provide Fuse bones to form plates to provide

strengthstrength– Reduce density of bonesReduce density of bones– Lose internal bone matrix-filled with air Lose internal bone matrix-filled with air

spacesspaces– Air sacs extend into bones proximal Air sacs extend into bones proximal

extremities extremities i.e. fractions/infectionsi.e. fractions/infections

Avian SkeletonAvian Skeleton

Avian - VisionAvian - Vision

Vision and Hearing-control centers Vision and Hearing-control centers in the brain much larger than taste, in the brain much larger than taste, touch, and smelltouch, and smell

Proportionally larger eyesProportionally larger eyes Binocular vision-species variationBinocular vision-species variation Excellent accommodationExcellent accommodation Two fovea-central and lateralTwo fovea-central and lateral Pectin-supplies nutrients and Pectin-supplies nutrients and

oxygen to vitreous cavityoxygen to vitreous cavity

Comparative RetinaComparative Retina

Color VisionColor Vision

Wide spectrum of light wave Wide spectrum of light wave lengthslengths Diurnal birds (hawks, parrots, Diurnal birds (hawks, parrots,

hummingbirds, etc.)- can also see UV hummingbirds, etc.)- can also see UV lightlight– American Kestrels can locate mice by American Kestrels can locate mice by

the UV reflection off the urine of the the UV reflection off the urine of the mouse!!mouse!!

– Distinguish ripe vs. unripe fruitDistinguish ripe vs. unripe fruit– Male vs. Female when plumage is Male vs. Female when plumage is

similar! similar!

Avian Digestive SystemAvian Digestive System

Beak-based on what they eatBeak-based on what they eat


Esophagus-right side of Esophagus-right side of the neckthe neck– Mucous glands-lubricatesMucous glands-lubricates

Crop-expansion of Crop-expansion of esophagus-storageesophagus-storage– Larger crop-need less Larger crop-need less

meals per daymeals per day– Mucosal liningMucosal liningcrop milk crop milk

(pigeons, doves)(pigeons, doves)– Protection for insectivoresProtection for insectivores


StomachStomach– Glandular Stomach Glandular Stomach

=Proventriculus=ProventriculusChemical digestionChemical digestion

– Muscular Stomach Muscular Stomach =Gizzard=GizzardStriated muscles to Striated muscles to

grind food (bone, grind food (bone, scales, nuts)scales, nuts)

Produces pellets to be Produces pellets to be regurgitated (owls, regurgitated (owls, hawks, herons, etc)hawks, herons, etc)

Avian Digestive Avian Digestive SystemSystem

Cloaca-termination of tractsCloaca-termination of tracts– Coprodeum-from intestinesCoprodeum-from intestines– Urodeum-from kidneys and genitalsUrodeum-from kidneys and genitals– Proctodeum-site of sperm storage prior Proctodeum-site of sperm storage prior

to “cloacal kiss”, stores other to “cloacal kiss”, stores other excrement.excrement.

– Mute= waste productMute= waste productDark fecal center with ring of uratesDark fecal center with ring of urates

Avian Circulatory SystemAvian Circulatory System

Heart-similar to mammalianHeart-similar to mammalian Vessel differences:Vessel differences:

– Pectoral and brachial arteries-largerPectoral and brachial arteries-larger– Renal Portal System-veins from extremities Renal Portal System-veins from extremities

travel through kidneys to remove metabolic travel through kidneys to remove metabolic waste waste

– Countercurrent system of heat exchangeCountercurrent system of heat exchange– Resting HR estimate (beats/sec)Resting HR estimate (beats/sec)

=12 X (4X weight in gm)=12 X (4X weight in gm)

Renal Portal SystemRenal Portal System

Avian Circulatory SystemAvian Circulatory System

BloodBlood– RBC-oval, nucleated and larger than RBC-oval, nucleated and larger than

mammalsmammals– WBCWBC

Young-produced by spleen, liver, kidneys, Young-produced by spleen, liver, kidneys, pancreas and bursa of Fabricius (dorsal wall pancreas and bursa of Fabricius (dorsal wall of proctodeum)of proctodeum)

Adult-produced by spleenAdult-produced by spleenHeterophils=mammalian neutrophilsHeterophils=mammalian neutrophils

– Thrombocytes=plateletsThrombocytes=platelets

Avian BloodAvian Blood

Avian Respiratory SystemAvian Respiratory System

Due to extremely high metabolic Due to extremely high metabolic rate, respiratory tract must be highly rate, respiratory tract must be highly specialized to quickly and efficiently specialized to quickly and efficiently deliver Oxygen and remove CO2deliver Oxygen and remove CO2

Avian Respiratory SystemAvian Respiratory System Choanae-internal nares Choanae-internal nares

that opens from the that opens from the nasal cavity onto the nasal cavity onto the roof of the mouthroof of the mouth

Larynx structures Larynx structures surrounding the glottis surrounding the glottis (opening into the (opening into the trachea)trachea)– No vocal folds!!No vocal folds!!

Avian Respiratory Avian Respiratory SystemSystem

Syrinx-Enlargement of the trachea Syrinx-Enlargement of the trachea above the sternumabove the sternum– Voice box of the birdVoice box of the bird– Number of muscle>>complex Number of muscle>>complex

vocalizationvocalizationSongbirds-7 pairSongbirds-7 pairParrots-3 pairParrots-3 pairOstrich, strokes, vultures-no pairs of musclesOstrich, strokes, vultures-no pairs of muscles


Trachea branches into bronchi Trachea branches into bronchi Bronchi enter the lungs, lose Bronchi enter the lungs, lose

cartilaginous cartilaginous protection>>Mesobronchiprotection>>Mesobronchi

Mesobronchi branch into 4-6 Mesobronchi branch into 4-6 ventrobronchi>>parabronchiventrobronchi>>parabronchi

Parabronchi connect to air capillaries Parabronchi connect to air capillaries for gas exchangefor gas exchange



Air SacsAir Sacs– Paired air sacsPaired air sacs

Cranial ThoracicCranial ThoracicCaudal ThoracicCaudal ThoracicCervical Cervical Abdominal Abdominal

– Unpaired air sacUnpaired air sac Interclavicular air sacInterclavicular air sac


Air Sac functionAir Sac function– Reservoir for airReservoir for air– Warmth and moisture to improve Warmth and moisture to improve

diffusion of air through lung capillariesdiffusion of air through lung capillaries– Thermoregulation-internal evaporation Thermoregulation-internal evaporation

of water>> coolsof water>> cools– BuoyancyBuoyancy


LungsLungs– Very smallVery small– Attached to thoracic vertebrae and ribsAttached to thoracic vertebrae and ribs– Highly vascularHighly vascular– InelasticInelastic– House air and blood capillaries for gas House air and blood capillaries for gas

exchangeexchange

Avian Respiratory SystemAvian Respiratory System First inhalation-expand First inhalation-expand

thoracoabdominal space-creating a thoracoabdominal space-creating a pressure gradientpressure gradient– Air moves into posterior air sacs to Air moves into posterior air sacs to

warm and humidifywarm and humidify First Expiration-air is pushed into the First Expiration-air is pushed into the

lungs for gas exchangelungs for gas exchange

Avian Respiratory SystemAvian Respiratory System Second Inspiration-Second Inspiration-

– Air moves out of lungs into the anterior Air moves out of lungs into the anterior parts of the air sacsparts of the air sacs

Second Expiration-Second Expiration-– Air leaves the body via tracheaAir leaves the body via trachea

No mixing of inspired and expired No mixing of inspired and expired air!!air!!– 21% oxygen21% oxygen

Demo

Avian BreathingAvian Breathing

Avian Urogenital SystemAvian Urogenital System

KidneysKidneys– 3 divisions-each containing cortex and 3 divisions-each containing cortex and

medullamedulla– Lack a renal pelvisLack a renal pelvis– Each nephron:Each nephron:

GlomerulusGlomerulusRenal tubules surroundRenal tubules surround

a Central veina Central vein

Avian Urogenital SystemAvian Urogenital System

Urine CompositionUrine Composition– 75% Uric acid (nitrogenous waste)75% Uric acid (nitrogenous waste)– 10-15% ammonia10-15% ammonia– 2-10% urea2-10% urea

*Uric acid is more efficient removal of *Uric acid is more efficient removal of nitrogenous waste (2 Nitrogen)nitrogenous waste (2 Nitrogen)

*Uses less water to eliminate*Uses less water to eliminate

Becomes important in the egg-waste is stored Becomes important in the egg-waste is stored in the egg throughout developmentin the egg throughout development

Avian Reproductive SystemAvian Reproductive System

Gonads grow in size during breeding Gonads grow in size during breeding season-special adaptationseason-special adaptation

L. gonad larger than the right (male L. gonad larger than the right (male and female)-sexingand female)-sexing– Sex reversal?? (rt. Ovitestes)Sex reversal?? (rt. Ovitestes)


Male Reproductive SystemMale Reproductive System– Spermatozoa produced in similar Spermatozoa produced in similar

mannermanner– No accessory glands-seminal fluid No accessory glands-seminal fluid

produced by tubules within the testesproduced by tubules within the testes– Epididymus-no divisionsEpididymus-no divisions– Vas deferens connects with a storage Vas deferens connects with a storage

pouch for spermatozoa-Seminal Vesiclepouch for spermatozoa-Seminal VesicleCooler temp than coreCooler temp than core

Seasonal Testes SizeSeasonal Testes Size


CopulationCopulation– Ducks, geese, storks, flamingos-erectile Ducks, geese, storks, flamingos-erectile

penis stored in the cloacapenis stored in the cloaca– Most other species of birds-sperm Most other species of birds-sperm

transfer by bringing male and female transfer by bringing male and female cloaca in close proximitycloaca in close proximity““Cloacal Kiss”Cloacal Kiss”


Female Reproductive SystemFemale Reproductive System– Ova forms from follicles in the ovaryOva forms from follicles in the ovary– Ovulation>>ova to the oviductOvulation>>ova to the oviduct– Oviduct:Oviduct:

Infundibulum-+/- fertilizationInfundibulum-+/- fertilizationMagnum-secretes layers of albumin (egg Magnum-secretes layers of albumin (egg

whites)whites) Isthmus-Deposits keratin shell membraneIsthmus-Deposits keratin shell membraneUterus-shell gland-watery albumin Uterus-shell gland-watery albumin

shell/pigmentation (calcium carbonate)shell/pigmentation (calcium carbonate)Vagina-secretes mucus to assist in laying Vagina-secretes mucus to assist in laying

the egg. Can store sperm for hours to days!the egg. Can store sperm for hours to days!

Avian Female Reproductive TractAvian Female Reproductive Tract

Avian Reproductive Avian Reproductive SystemSystem

Clutch=Number of eggs that a Clutch=Number of eggs that a female lays and incubatesfemale lays and incubates– Determinate layers-specific number of Determinate layers-specific number of

follicles develop. Once eggs are laid, follicles develop. Once eggs are laid, clutch is complete.clutch is complete.

– Indeterminate layers-produce more eggs Indeterminate layers-produce more eggs than their clutch; will continue to than their clutch; will continue to produce eggs if they disappearproduce eggs if they disappearEndangered speciesEndangered species


Incubation-keeping the eggs Incubation-keeping the eggs warm and humidifiedwarm and humidified

Prolactin levels are high, Prolactin levels are high, suppress LH and FSH suppress LH and FSH

Brood patch-area of skin on Brood patch-area of skin on lower abdomen-where heat lower abdomen-where heat is transferredis transferred– Hen plucks feathers in this Hen plucks feathers in this

regionregion


Hatching-Hatching-– Egg tooth-specialized Egg tooth-specialized

tooth inside the chick’s bill.tooth inside the chick’s bill.Disappears after birthDisappears after birth

– Sex DeterminationSex DeterminationZ=female, dominantZ=female, dominantW=male, recessiveW=male, recessiveFemales can lay ZW, or ZZFemales can lay ZW, or ZZ

Things to Remember When Things to Remember When Working with BirdsWorking with Birds

Heart rates vary with the size of the bird.Heart rates vary with the size of the bird.– 25 grams 275 BPM (resting) – 400-600 BPM 25 grams 275 BPM (resting) – 400-600 BPM

(restrained)(restrained)– 1000 grams 130 BPM (resting) – 150-350 BPM 1000 grams 130 BPM (resting) – 150-350 BPM

(restrained)(restrained) When working with eagles and waterfowl, When working with eagles and waterfowl,

always test blood lead levels!always test blood lead levels! Jugular - The right jugular vein is used Jugular - The right jugular vein is used

because it is fairly prominent (many bird because it is fairly prominent (many bird species lack a left jugular vein).species lack a left jugular vein).

VenipunctureVenipuncture

Alar vein - located running across the Alar vein - located running across the ventral surface of the humeral-radial-ventral surface of the humeral-radial-ulnar joint (elbow) directly beneath ulnar joint (elbow) directly beneath the skin. the skin.

Medial Metatarsal Vein – located on Medial Metatarsal Vein – located on the medial side of the lower leg. the medial side of the lower leg. When available, this vein is typically When available, this vein is typically the site of choice for blood sampling the site of choice for blood sampling in birds. in birds.

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Documents

Comparative Anatomy. Avian-Integument Keratin-needed to produce scales, feathers and beaks and claws. –Dermis very thin-slow to heal. –Best sites of