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birds Flashcards

(55 cards)

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1
Q

describe the characteristics of their bones 7

A

reduced number
bones are fused
reduced density
thinner bones
hollow with air sacs
no teeth
no jaw

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2
Q

what’s unique about their skull

A

fused to form rigid but lightweight box
there are pockets of air that are prominent in flighted birds

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3
Q

describe characteristics about the vertebral column 9 marks

A

ball and socket joint - atlas
greater number of C vertebrae and flexibility, some are fused together
uncinate processes add to the strength of the rib cage
synsacrum is a shock absorber for flight and landing
first few ribs are short and incomplete
pygostyle is used to support tail feathers and rudder
keel provides muscle attachment of flight muscles
rigid T vertebrae

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4
Q

describe characteristics about the pelvic girdle 3

A

it rotated backwards and forwards for perching and locomotion
there is an extensive fusion of bones of the pelvic region this provides support for the legs in order to deal with the stress of taking and landing
its incomplete in most species to allow passage of eggs

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5
Q

describe characteristics about the pelvic limbs 4

A

pelvic limbs fused distally to absorb sock of take off and landing
used for swimming catching pray and wading
covered by feathers and skin to level of inter tarsal joint
scaled below intertarsal joint

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6
Q

describe characteristics about the phalanges 4

A

most birds have 4 digits
main action of digits is flexion and extension- helps to perch and hold on
birds walk on their toes not their feet
feet used to perch, grasp pray, or they are webbed for swimming

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7
Q

describe characteristics about the wings

A

consists of humerus, radius, ulna, carpal bones, carometacarpus and 3 digits

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8
Q

describe characteristics about the humerus

A

short bone
lies against body wall when wing if folded
pneumatic bone- the clavicular airsacs extends into the medullary cavity

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9
Q

describe characteristics about the radius and ulna 4

A

long bones
lie parallel to eachother
don’t twist
ulna is bigger and lies caudally

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10
Q

describe characteristics about the digits 2

A

there are 3
feathers are attached to the 1st digits are raised during flight to prevent stalling at slow speeds

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11
Q

what is the difference between medullary and pneumatic bones

A

medullary are long bones which act as a store of calcium for egg production

pneumatic bones are hollow bones which can be fused together to create a lighter body weight for flight and allow gas exchange using air sacs

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12
Q

describe characteristics about the skin 4

A

skin has epidermis and dermis
epidermis is outer layer and thin
keratin - scales, feathers and outer layer of beak

birds don’t have sweat glands but they have preen glands on the upper surface of tail which is an oily fatty substance which spreads through feathers and cleans and waterproofs them

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13
Q

what is the beak and mouth used for in digestion

A

initiates mastication process and have salivary glands to help lubricate food, also used for tearing meat, cracking seeds, straining feed particles and spearing and probing

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14
Q

describe the characteristics of the oesophagus 3

A

starts at the mouth and ends at the proventriculus

lies to the right side of the neck
lined with stratified epithelium containing mucous glands

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15
Q

describe the characteristics of the crop 5

A

also known as a diverticulum

this serves as a storage device for food to be carried away,

it can also lubricate feedstuffs

further enables digestion.

this allows the bird to reduce its eating time to a few meals a day rather than continually feeding and risking predation

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16
Q

describe the characteristics of the stomach

A

made of 2 parts

the glandular proventriculus - initiation of chemical digestion. indigestible material is regurgitated into pellets in raptors

muscular ventriculus/ gizzard- made up of striated muscle allowing the grinding of food, varies on bird size and species, seed and insect eating birds have stronger muscles here, carnivores don’t have this

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17
Q

describe the characteristics of the pancreas and liver 2

A

the pancreas is more developed in birds
it produces enzymes for digesting carbs fats and proteins. the liver has 2 lobes each with its own duct leading into the Si

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18
Q

describe the characteristics of the small intestine 3

A

short and highly convoluted
thin walled and narrow
the intestinal epithelium has folds and villi

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19
Q

describe the characteristics of the large intestine

A

can contain 2 large caece enabling micro fermentation of a high fibre diet

they serve to enable bacterial digestion of complex carbs

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20
Q

describe the characteristics of the cloaca

A

coprodeum - collects faeces
urodeum - collects urine
proctodeum - urine and faeces are combined and excreted

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21
Q

what happens during excretion 3

A

urine and faeces are combined and passed as urate
the white outer ring being urine and the inner brown ring being faeces.
abdnormal urate will appear yellow or green

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22
Q

respiratory system components 9

A

external nares
nasal cavity
oral cavity
glottis - opening into trachea
trachea - larynx at the start (doesn’t produce sound)
syrinx - muscles and air sacs (voice box) some birds have 7 pairs of muscles
bronchi in lungs
trachea divides into two bronchi which have complete rings unlike dogs
mesobrinchi- where further division takes place

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23
Q

characteristics of the nasal cavity 3

Study These Flashcards
A

birds can breathe through nose and mouth

the 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

24
Q

characteristics of the choana 4

Study These Flashcards
A

located at the roof of the mouth

choana connects the oropharynx inside the mouth with the nasal cavity.

projections or papillae are found at the edge of the choana

birds have a glottis will fit snugly into the choanal slit when the bird closes its mouth and the bird will then have a closed connection from the nostrils to the windpipe

25
characteristics of the lungs 7
small compared to mammal compact and more rigid than mammal primary and secondary and tertiary bronchi- (parabronchi) the parabronchi make up the bulk of lung tissues and this is where GA takes place no diaphragm to assist with breathing lungs are attached to V and ribs, bright red and very vascular and inelastic
26
characteristics of the air sacs 9
birds have air sacs as well as lungs 3 pairs of air sacs and 2 single ones in most birds some species contain 2 cervical air sacs making 9 in total the function- they create and unidirectional flow of air through the lungs, maximising oxygen extraction 1. reservoirs of air 2. warmth and moisture 3. thermoregulation 4. buoyancy for water birds 5. extend into bones
27
characteristics of the respiration cycle
1st inspiration - air taken in through nasal cavity - travels to larynx then trachea - trachea to syrinx - divided into 2 streams - travel to posterior caudal air sacs and a small amount to the lungs 1st expiration - air is moved from posterior air sacs to the bronchi in lungs and then onto blood capillaries where CO2 and O2 is exchanged 2nd inspiration - the air moved to the cranial air sacs 2nd expiration - air moved out of the cranial air sac via the syrinx to the trachea, larynx and out the nasal cavity
28
which factors affect the respiratory rates in birds
stress exercise heat and pain all increase rr sedation anaesthesia illness all decrease respiratory rates
29
how do water requirements effect different species of birds
water consumption varies between species dependent on diet type hardbills for example eat fruit and veg which contain water reducing their daily intake soft bill consume more due to their dry diet
30
what are the water considerations for birds6
birds dunk their food in water if the water feeder is too low they will defecate in the water bowl - which results in bacterial contamination which results in gastroenteritis, sour crop considerations for the water source inclue levels of minerals in the water lead can cause lead poisoning even at low levels common problem in older buildings lead toxicity is life threatening supplements- water administered supplements can cause dangers if water isn’t changed at least every 24hrs. the enriched water allows for rapid growing bacteria which leads to similar problems. owners shouldn’t supplement water unless they are rigorous with cleaning and replenishing
31
what to feed seed eaters
dry seeds form the majority of the diet requirements for a balanced diet include minerals and vitamins, vegetables and fresh clean water. by feeding just seeds this will leads to hypovit a
32
what to properly feed birds
80-90% of disease in avian species is related to inadequate nutrition seeds should a never be the sole diet of any captive birds as they are deficient in essential vitamins pelleted avian diets are available to prevent nutritional imbalances which makes nutrition easier for owners, preventing unnecessary disease. pellets should make up 50% of the diet along side fruit and veg which are fed regularly as part of their diet. seeds are used as treats. some types of seeds for small birds are rape, millet, canary and hemp, larger species need safflower, sunflower and pumpkin but they can get addicted to sunflower seeds. larger species can have nuts such as almond, walnut, brazil, hazel, peanuts, addiction to peanuts causes toxin poisoning- nuts are very high in calories
33
why do birds get obese
over feeding minimal exercise not enough space unbalanced diet overfed high fat oil seeds
34
why is hypovitaminosis A a problem in birds
caused an unbalanced diet Vit a is essential for vision, immune function, differentiation of epithelial cells in respiratory tract and small intestine, growth, keratinisation
35
what veg have a good course of vit a and calcium and what veg should you not feed
brocoli, watercress, wild rocket avacados as they cause severe liver problems
36
what fruits can be given to birds and what can’t
apple pear melon mango papaya grapes and kiwi- high sugar content, cause diarrhoea oranges- causes gastric upset so feed in small quantities toucans and mynah birds can’t have oranges due to high vitamin c and iron absorption
37
what supplements can be given to birds
calcium- cuttlefish bone greens- dandelion and chickweed mineral or iodine block- essential for budgies grit- essential is eat whole seed, finches and quail
38
how to give water
open bowl, plastic, coop cup, tube drinkers, water delivery should not be made from metal alloys as most are galvanised with zinc, also some has soldered edges containing lead which are both highly toxic
39
where can subcut injections be put into
over pectoral muscles, little chance of damage to vital structures but needle needs to be inserted quite far and only a small amount to be administered inside of thigh - best site as high volume administration and movement of leg disperses the drug, needle can’t go too far due to damaging the nerves and blood vessels dorsal base of the neck - skin should be held away from the underlying vertebra and muscles and to make administer the injection mid line
40
where can intramuscular injections be inserted into
pectoral and bicep femoris site should be towards the caudal end of the muscle as veins are more developed at cranial. if using biceps in leg, the ischiadic nerve runs down back of femur also injection may pass through renal system so it’s partially excreted before it works
41
where can intravenous injections be put into
basilic tarsal vein on right surface of the medial surface of the leg right jugular vein
42
where do people inject to euthanise a bird
intravenous injection via ulnar vein intramuscular into pectoral muscle of directly into liver
43
what are the considerations for housing birds 13
- big enough to stretch wings fully in all directions as minimum - should be able to fly between perches, climb and play - length and width more important than height - birds that climb need horizontal bars - birds that fly need vertical bars - cages should be easy to clean - door locked at front, should fit well and be made of strong materials - cage bars close enough together to prevent bird from escaping or getting head stuck - strong enough to resist bending or dismantling - non toxic material - safe - cage bars designed to prevent injury - door should be wide enough to get bird in and out
44
what considerations are there for perches 10
clean, comfortable place to stand must be right diameter for birds foot foot should not curl all the way around the perch - would lead to foot damage. need a variety of widths for weight distribution natural perches best- fruit branches wash branches, don’t spray with chemicals do not use yew, laburnum or rhododendron as toxic place opposite sides of cage at same height so birds can fly in between them some water bottles or food dishes with built in perch don’t put perches above food or water containers
45
what toys can birds have
wooden blocks - good for parrots and cockatiels - can gnaw, maintains beak health bells entertaining for parrots mirrors for solitary birds - remove during breeding season swings for budgies and cockatiels - don’t position in flight path ladders - need to lead to something pine cones, natural rope fibre, egg cartons- promote natural beak activity
46
bird bath considerations
natural activity stims bird to preen- keeps plumage in good condition and clean needles chance to preen 2/3 times a week broad shallow bowl of water cockatiels and large parrots unlikely to bathe, should be sprayed with water fine mister with slightly warm water, spray above head so water falls on them like rain don’t spray at night
47
cage location considerations
avoid kitchen- unhygienic- fumes or smoke- overheated non stick fry pans temp changes in kitchen if escape in kitchen could get scalded ideally in living room corner makes birds feel secure height- just below eye level- security and allows interaction make sure cage is supported securely on stand/ piece of furniture mess around cage
48
what cage substrate should be used
paper, safe and convenient, easy to monitor droppings pine shavings- difficult to assess droppings needs to be changed often
49
cage position in hospital 4
prey species- need to be away from predators susceptible to noise- need somewhere quiet hypothermia risk- ensure environmental temp need to admit in safe place- be careful about potential escape
50
what are warming aids for birds 4
infra red lamps hot water bottles wrapped in a towel hospital cages for birds that’s thermostatically controlled incubator
51
list the 4 types of feathers
flight contour down filiplume
52
characteristics of the flight feathers
long rigid feathers attached to wing and tail the primary feathers are attached to digit 3 and fused to the metacarpals the secondary feathers are attached to the ulna
53
characteristics of the contour feathers
cover the wing create a smooth cover over body short and flexible
54
characteristics of the down feathers
lie close to the body lie underneath the contour feathers form an insulating layer barbless
55
characteristics of the filoplume feathers
lie close to body designed to break up and form feather dust which absorbs dirt and moisture to keep bird clean barbless

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