BIO 554/754
Ornithology
Lab 1 - External Morphology & Topography of Birds


Be able to identify the following:
 

THE HEAD
 forehead 
 crown 
 occiput 
 superciliary line 
 cere 
 external nares 
 operculum
 eye-ring 
 lore
 iris 
 nictitating membrane
 auricular region 
   auriculars 
 external acoustic meatus
 malar region 
 chin 
 gular region 
 
 

THE BILL 
 upper mandible 
 lower mandible 
 tomia 
   tomium proper 
   rictus 
 culmen
 gonys
 commissure 


Pigeon Guillemot - culmen
(Source: Wikipedia)
 

THE NECK
 nape
 sides
 

THE TRUNK
  back
  rump
  breast
  abdomen
  sides
  flanks

THE WINGS
   wrist
   forearm (antebrachium)
   elbow
   upper arm (brachium)
   remiges
        primary remiges
        secondary remiges
   coverts
        greater
        median
        lesser
   alula
   scapulars
   axillars

THE LEGS & FEET
   thigh
   knee
   lower leg (crus)
   heel
   foot
       tarsus
       toes (phalanges)
       hallux
       claw

THE TAIL
   rectrices
   uppertail coverts
   crissum (undertail coverts)





Photo source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Eagle_beak_sideview_A.jpg


Useful links:

Birding.com Bird ID - Body

Birding.com Bird ID - Wing

Bird Topography Quiz

Birdwatch - UK

Cornell - Bird Topography

Feathers of the top of the wing

Field Mark Definitions

Markings & Glossary

Northern Michigan Birding  - Bird Topography Study Page


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