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Bird anatomy, or the physiological structure of birds' bodies, shows many unique adaptations, mostly aiding flight.Birds have a light skeletal system and light but powerful musculature which, along with circulatory and respiratory systems capable of very high metabolic rates and oxygen supply, permit the bird to fly.
This stylised bird skeleton highlights the furcula Wishbone of a chicken. The furcula (Latin for "little fork"; pl.: furculae) [a] or wishbone is a forked bone found in most birds and some species of non-avian dinosaurs, and is formed by the fusion of the two clavicles. [1]
In birds, some temperature control occurs in the respiratory system. [16] Water vapor heats cool air during inhalation in the trachea, and increases its humidity. [16] The resulting evaporative water loss varies greatly and depends on several factors including air sac pressure and the subsequent rate of air flow through the trachea.
The skeleton of a bird wing. Places of attachment of various groups of flight feathers are indicated. The mute swan with outstretched wings Wing of the white-tailed eagle. Bird wings are a paired forelimb in birds. The wings give the birds the ability to fly, creating lift. Terrestrial flightless birds have reduced wings or none at all (for ...
This stylised bird skeleton highlights the synsacrum Synsacrum of an unidentified bird. The synsacrum is a skeletal structure of birds and other dinosaurs, in which the sacrum is extended by incorporation of additional fused or partially fused caudal or lumbar vertebrae. This structure can only be seen in birds.
This stylised bird skeleton highlights the uncinate processes The uncinate processes of the ribs are extensions of bone that project caudally from the vertical segment of each rib . (Uncinate means hooked from Latin uncinatus , from uncinus , barb, from uncus , hook.)
Most birds have four toes, typically three facing forward and one pointing backward. [7] [10] [8] In a typical perching bird, they consist respectively of 3, 4, 5 and 2 phalanges. [2] Some birds, like the sanderling, have only the forward-facing toes; these are called tridactyl feet while the ostrich have only two toes (didactyl feet).
Pigeon skeleton. Number 8 indicates both left and right tarsometatarsus. The tarsometatarsus is a bone that is only found in the lower leg of birds and some non-avian dinosaurs. . It is formed from the fusion of several bones found in other types of animals, and homologous to the mammalian tarsus (ankle bones) and metatarsal bones (foo