good eats
the bony structure that birds use for eating and preening
what is the beak?
these feathers help the pigeon steer and break (stop) when needed
what are tail feathers?
This organ holds the food BEFORE it heads to the gizzard
what is the stomach?
this organ deals with digestion and waste secretion
what is the liver?
this organ transfers food to the crop
what is the esophagus?
These feathers help the pigeon stay waterproof and camouflaged
what are contour feathers?
this organ transfers air to the lungs, and this structure helps birds swallow food
what is the trachea and esophagus?
this structure emits urine through the cloaca
what are ureters?
this organ grinds food because birds do not have teeth to chew their food
what is the gizzard?
The important maintenance behavior where birds use their beaks to clean, arrange, and oil their feathers, ensuring they remain waterproof and ready for flight
What is preening?
this organ deals with the reproductive system, digestive system, and urinary tract
what is the cloaca?
This organ deals with synthesis, metabolism, and detoxification
what is the liver?
this organ is responsible for food storage. This organ allows pigeons to eat a lot of food and save it for later. For mama birds, they use this organ to make baby food.
what is the crop?
this structure makes it easier for birds to fly and is the largest, most dominant muscle
what is the pectoralis muscle?
this organ absorbs water and electrolytes
what is the large intestine?
These two organs act as filters for the pigeon. The first organ(s) get rid of waste. The second organ(s) help supply oxygen to the bird and prevent disease.
what are kidneys and the spleen?
food is enzymatically digested and absorbed here
what is the small intestine?
this gland is responsible for secreting oil for feathers
what are uropygial/ preen glands?
a tube that transfers the egg from the ovary to the cloaca to develop into viable embryos surrounded by a hard shell
what is the oviduct?
this structure is both a gland and digestive organ found on top of the small intestine. It secretes digestive juices and releases hormones to regulate metabolism and blood sugar
what is the pancreas?