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Avian Flashcards

1
Q

Avian Skeletal
What are the axial and appendicular skeleton comprised of?

A

Axial = skull and vertebral column

Appendicular = pelvis and limbs

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2
Q

Avian Skeletal
Explain some attributes of avian bones. (7 marks)

A

Light and strong.
Reduced number of bones because they are fused together to make the skeleton more rigid.
Bones are fused into single ossifications.
Reduced density.
Thinner bones.
Hollow with air sacs.
No teeth or jaw - beak instead.

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3
Q

Avian Skeletal
What is a keel?

A

An extension of the sternum (breastbone).
Provides attachment for of flight muscles.

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4
Q

Avian Skeletal
What is the fused collarbone called?

A

Furcula (wishbone)

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5
Q

Avian Skeletal
What allows a bird to turn their head 180 degrees?

A

A single occipital condyle articulates with the atlas.

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6
Q

Avian Skeletal
What are sclerotic rings?

A

Rings of bone found in the eyes.

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7
Q

Avian Skeletal
What does the craniofacial hinge do?

A

Lies between the upper beak and skull and increases mobility of the beak during feeding.

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8
Q

Avian Skeletal
What is the makeup of the skull?

A

Bones of the skull are fused to form a rigid but lightweight box.
Within the skull are pockets of air.

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9
Q

Avian Skeletal
What type of joint is the atlas?

A

Ball and socket joint

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10
Q

Avian Skeletal
How many cervical vertebrae do birds have and why?

A

13-25 vertebrae.
For flexibility and extension when eating.
Some are fused together for rigidity and flight.

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11
Q

Avian Skeletal
What are Uncinate processes?

A

Backwards pointing processes that add strength to the ribcage.
They provide attachments for muscles adding strength to the thoracic wall.

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12
Q

Avian Skeletal
What is the Synsacrum?

A

Fusion of caudal thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and caudal vertebrae.
10-23 vertebrae.
Acts as a shock absorber for flight and landing.
Supports the pelvic girdle.

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13
Q

Avian Skeletal
What are the ribs like?

A

First few ribs are short and incomplete.

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14
Q

Avian Skeletal
What is the Pygostyle?

A

Fusion of the last vertebrae.
Provides support for the tail feathers and rudder.

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15
Q

Avian Skeletal
What bones are the Pectoral girdle comprised of?

A

Coracoid, Scapulae, Clavicles.

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16
Q

Avian Skeletal
What is the pelvic girdle movement like?

A

Rotates backwards and forwards for perching and locomotion.

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17
Q

Avian Skeletal
What does the pelvic girdle do?

A

Extensive fusion of bones of the pelvic region provide support for the legs in order to deal with stress of take off and landing.

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18
Q

Avian Skeletal
What is the pelvic girdle made up of?

A

Ischium, Pubis, Ilium all fused.

They are rigidly attached to the synsacrum at the ilium.

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19
Q

Avian Skeletal
What is the use of the pelvic limbs?

A

Fused distally to absorb shock of take off and landing.
Used for swimming, catching prey, and wading.

Covered by feathers and skin to the level of the inter tarsal joint and covered in scales below that.

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20
Q

Avian Skeletal
Explain the attributes of the phalanges.

A

4 digits for flexion and extension.
Birds walk on their toes.

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21
Q

Avian Skeletal
What are the wings comprised of?

A

Humerus, Radius, Ulna, Carpal bones, Carpi-metacarpus and 3 digits.

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22
Q

Avian Skeletal
What are the 4 main types of wings?

A

Elliptical = short broad wings to avoid stalling and rapid beat in flight.

Broad = allows to soar at low speeds.

Long and Narrow = pointed wings with no slots to allow soaring at high speeds.

Tapered = no wing slits to allow flight with rapid wing beats at high speeds.

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23
Q

Avian Skeletal
What is the difference between medullary and pneumatic bones?

A

Medullary are long bones that act as a store for calcium for egg production.

Pneumatic are hollow bones fused together to create a light body weight for flight. Allows gas exchange using air sacs and aids flight at high altitude.

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24
Q

Avian Skeletal
What are the attributes of the humerus?

A

Short bone
Lies against the body wall when wing is folded.

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25
Avian Skeletal What are the attributes of the radius and ulna?
Long bones. Lie parallel to each other. Bones do not twist. Ulna is bigger and lies caudally.
26
Avian Skeletal Explain the attributes of the digits.
3 digits. The feathers attached to the 1st digits are raised during flight to prevent stalling at slow speeds.
27
Avian Skin What are the attributes of the skin?
Skin has epidermis and dermis. Epidermis outer layer is thin. Scales, feathers, outer layer of beak are made up of keratin.
28
Avian Skin What is the preen gland?
Don't have sweat glands but do have a preen gland on upper surface of tail. Preen gland is an oily fatty substance that spreads through feathers to clean and waterproof them.
29
Avian Feathers What are the function of feathers?
Flight. Protection. Thermoregulation. Camouflage Communication (courtship)
30
Avian Digestive System What are the components of the GI tract?
Mouth and beak, Tongue, Saliva, Crop, Ventriculus, Stomach, Enzymes, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Cloaca
31
Avian Digestive System What is the mouth and beak used for?
Initiates mastication process and has salivary glands to help lubricate food. Used for tearing meat, cracking seeds, straining feeding particles, spearing and probing.
32
Avian Digestive System Where is the oesophagus located and what is it lined with?
Starts at the mouth and ends at the pro-ventriculus. Lies to the right side of the neck. Lined with stratified epithelium contains mucous glands.
33
Avian Digestive System What is the purpose of the crop?
It is a storage device for food to be carried away. Lubricates feedstuffs and further enables digestion. Allows the bird to reduce its eating time to a few meals per day rather than continuous eating and risking predation.
34
Avian Digestive System What are the compartments of the stomach and what are their functions?
Glandular Pro-ventriculus - initiation of chemical digestion. Muscular Ventriculus (Gizzard) - made of striated muscle and allows the grinding of food.
35
Avian Digestive System Explain the function/purpose of the Pancreas and Liver.
Pancreas is more well developed in birds than mammals, possibly due to the lack of saliva and chewing. Pancreas produces enzymes for digesting carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The liver has 2 distinct lobes, each with its own duct leading to the small intestine.
36
Avian Digestive System Explain the attributes of the small and large intestines.
Small Intestine is short and highly convoluted. It is thin walled and narrow and the intestinal epithelium has folds and villi. The large intestine contain 2 large caeca enabling micro fermentation of a high fibre diet. They serve to enable bacterial digestion of complex carbohydrates.
37
Avian Digestive System What is the cloaca used for and what are the compartments?
Connects the digestive, urinary, and genital tracts, allowing the elimination of waste. Comprised of the coprodeum, urodeum, and proctodeum. Coprodeum - collects faeces Urodeum - collects urine Proctodeum - urine and faeces are combined and excreted The vent is the external opening of the cloaca.
38
Avian Digestive System Explain the process of excretion.
Urine and faeces are combined and passed as rate with the white outer ring being urine and the inner brown ring being faeces. Abnormal urate will appear yellow/green.
39
Avian Respiratory System What are the components of the respiratory system?
External nares, nasal cavity, oral cavity, glottis, trachea, syrinx, bronchi, mesobronchi
40
Avian Respiratory System Explain some attributes of the nasal cavity. (3 marks)
Can breathe through nose or mouth. Nares lie at the base of the beak and can be surrounded by a thick cere. Air then passes through the nares and into the conchae of the nasal cavity.
41
Avian Respiratory System Explain some attributes of the Choana. (4 marks)
Located at the roof of the mouth. Connects the oropharynx inside the mouth with the nasal cavity. Numerous projections or papillae are found at the edge of the choana. When the mouth is closed, the glottis fits directly in the choanal slit, allowing air to pass directly into the trachea without entering the rest of the mouth.
42
Avian Respiratory System Where does gas exchange take place?
The parabronchi make up the bulk of the lung tissue and this is where gaseous exchange occurs. Parabronchi (primary, secondary, tertiary)
43
Avian Respiratory System Explain some attributes of the lungs. (3 marks)
Smaller, compact, and more rigid than mammals. No diaphragm to assist with breathing unlike mammals. Lungs are attached to vertebrae and ribs. Bright red, very vascular, inelastic.
44
Avian Respiratory System How many air sacs do birds have?
3 pairs and 2 single ones = 8 in total
45
Avian Respiratory System What are the functions of air sacs?
They create a unidirectional flow of air through the lungs, maximising oxygen extraction. Reservoir for air, warmth and moisture, thermoregulation, buoyancy for water birds, extend into bones.
46
Avian Respiratory System What factors would increase respiratory rate?
Stress Exercise Heat Pain
47
Avian Respiratory System What factors would decrease respiratory rate?
Sedation Illness Anaesthesia
48
Avian Respiratory System What happens during 1st inspiration?
Air is taken in through nasal cavity. Air travels to larynx then trachea then syrinx. It is divided into 2 streams. It travels to the posterior caudal air sacs and a small amount to the lungs.
49
Avian Respiratory System What happens during 1st expiration?
Air is moved from posterior air sacs to the bronchi in the lungs and then on to blood capillaries where carbon dioxide and oxygen is exchanged.
50
Avian Respiratory System What happens during 2nd inspiration and expiration?
2nd Inspiration - air moves to the cranial air sacs 2nd expiration - air moved out of the cranial air sacs via the syrinx to the trachea, then the larynx and out the nasal cavity
51
What sites can be used for a subcutaneous injection?
Pectoral muscles - needle inserted far under the skin and small amount injected Inside the thigh (groin) - best site as higher volumes can be administered and movement of the leg can disperse the drug Dorsal base of neck - skin half away from underlying vertebrae and muscles
52
What sites can be used for intramuscular injections?
Pectoral Muscles Biceps Femoris
53
What sites can be used for Intravenous injections?
Basilic (ulnar). Tarsal vein on right surface of medial surface of the leg. Right jugular vein.
54
What sites can be used for Intraosseus injections?
Ulna - proximal or distal end. Tibiotarsus - cranioproximal aspect.
55
How and where would euthanasia be administered?
Intravenous injection of pentobarbitone via the ulnar vein.
56
Avian Feeding How should water be presented and how much?
In an open, plastic bowl, coop cup, or tide drinker. The water cannot be too low or they risk bacterial contamination of faeces leading to gastroenteritis. Some species consume 5-10mls in 24 hours.
57
Avian Feeding How should food be presented?
In plastic, ceramic, or single pressed stainless steel bowls with a perched trough.
58
Avian Feeding What seeds can finches, canaries, budgies, and cockatiels eat? (5)
Rape, millet, canary, hemp, linseed seeds.
59
Avian Feeding What seeds and nuts can larger parrot breeds eat?
Seeds: safflower, sunflower, pumpkin. Nuts: almond, walnut, Brazil, hazel, peanut, pine.
60
Avian Feeding What causes obesity?
Over feeding Minimal exercise Not enough space to exercise Unbalanced diet Overfed high fat oil seeds
61
Avian Feeding What causes Hypovitaminosis A? (5)
Vitamin deficiency caused by an unbalanced diet. Vitamin A essential for: Vision Immune function Growth Keratinisation Differentiation of epithelial cells in respiratory tract and small intestine
62
Avian Feeding What are suitable fruits for birds? List 6
Apple, pear, melon, mango, papaya, banana, pomegranate.
63
Avian Feeding What are suitable vegetables for birds? List 6
Broccoli, water cress, wild rocket (good source of vitamin A and calcium) Cauliflower, sweetcorn, tomato, carrot, kale.
64
Avian Feeding What supplements can be given?
Calcium - cuttlefish bone Greens - dandelion, chickweed Mineral or iodine block - essential for budgies Grit - essential if eat whole seed - quail, finches
65
Avian Housing What are the housing considerations? (8 marks)
Large as possible. Extend wings fully. Fly between perches, climb and play. Length and width more important than height. Easy to clean. Cage bars close enough together to prevent escape. Strong, non-toxic material to resist bending/dismantling - metal. Double door entry system.
66
Avian Housing What are the ideal housing conditions?
Indoor/outdoor aviary. Fresh air, sunlight. Temperature variations. Rain. Allows exercise and mental stimulation.
67
Avian Housing What toys could be included in the enclosure?
Wooden blocks - can gnaw and maintain beak health. Bells - entertain parrots Mirrors - good for solitary birds. Swings - budgies and cockatiels. Ladders. Pine cones, natural rope fibre, egg cartons - promote natural beak activities.
68
Avian Housing What are the benefits of bird baths? and what is the alternative?
Natural activity that stimulates birds to preen and keeps plumage in good condition and clean. Broad, shallow bowl of water. Cockatiels and parrots unlikely to bathe - should be sprayed with fine mister instead to mimic rain.
69
Avian Housing What are the considerations for perches? (6 marks)
Should be clean/comfortable for bird to stand. Right diameter for birds foot. Natural perch best - fruit tree wood or deciduous tree branch. Perches places at opposite side of cage at same height so bird can fly between them. Do not place perch above food/water dishes. Variation of thickness of perch to exercise feet.
70
Avian Housing Where should the cage be located at home?
In a living area in a corner for security. Height just below eye level for interaction. Cage should be supported securely on a stand or piece of furniture.
71
Avian Housing Where should the cage be located in a hospital?
Away from predators. Loud birds so housed somewhere quiet. Ensure environmental temperature of 26*C as prone to hypothermia. Admitted in a safe room - no open doors or windows to prevent escape.
72
Avian Housing What cage substrate should be used and why?
Paper - its safe and convenient and easy to monitor droppings.
73
Avian Nursing What is the main focus when nursing avians in practice? and what are the nursing considerations? (7 marks)
Minimising stress. Ensure everything is ready prior to handling to reduce handling time. Play music/radio to add background noise - mimics noises from home. Know backgrounds and birds routine. House away from species. Provide environmental enrichment.
74
Avian Nursing What would be the protocol for avian influenza?
Barrier nurse. Minimise spread of disease. Isolate patient. Use of disinfectant foot baths on entry/exit of isolation ward, own equipment and clinical waste bins. Use of PPE. Maintain high hygiene standards.
75
Avian Nursing How does a birds metabolism effect hypothermia and weight loss?
They have high metabolic rates meaning they loose heat quickly and rapidly utilise their glycogen reserves making them prone to weight loss. Weight loss can be made worse by cold temperatures meaning it is important the environmental temperature is kept at 26*C.
76
Avian Nursing What are some warming aids?
Infra red lamps, Hot water bottles wrapped in a towel, Incubators, Hospital cages with thermometer controls.
77
How would you safely handle and restrain a bird?
Using a towel, restrain the wings against the body to protect the wings from feather damage or fractures. Cover the bird with hand or towel making a cup over the bird. Restrain gently around the neck area with hand and allow the towel to shield the wings and body.
78
What are the subcutaneous injection sites for avians?
Over pectoral muscles Inside thigh Dorsal base of neck
79
What are the intramuscular injection sites for avians?
Superficial pectoral muscles Deep pectoral muscle
80
What are the intraosseous injection sites for avians?
Ulna Tibiotarsus

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