Feeding structures in birds.

Abstract

In this chapter, an overview is given of the functional morphology of the structures that play a role in the food uptake and digestion of domestic birds. A general description, with some attention to specific morphological structures are presented. Although a large number of birds are held in captivity for a plethora of reasons, the focus of this chapter will be on the following groups: (i) the galliforms, which include chickens, turkeys and guineafowls; (ii) anseriforms, which includes ducks and geese and (iii) ratites, of which the ostrich, emu and rhea are the species that are kept most in captivity. Finally, the columbiforms will be included in the description, of which the pigeon is the most well-known representative. The terminology used in the chapter when related to birds will follow the official avian anatomical terminology. When referring to non-avian species, the veterinarian anatomical terminology will be used as described in the illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature.