Morphological Comparison of Larynx, Syrinx and Trachea of Some Wild Birds

Abstract

The presence of both the larynx and syrinx in the respiratory system, the trachea consisting of long and complete cartilage rings, and the presence of air sacs are some of the important features that distinguish birds from mammals. There have been many studies on the larynx, trachea and syrinx as they are the distinguishing features of song and bird vocalizations in many avian species. In the present study, the purpose was to demonstrate the morphological structures of the larynx, trachea and syrinx, which is a sound organ, pigeon, sparrowhawk, falcon, eagle, goose, crow and stork. A total of 48 specimens, were used in the study. The materials were stained with methylene blue for better observation and counting of the tracheal rings. The staining procedure was performed by soaking the materials in alcohol, methylene blue solution and alcohol solutions of different concentrations, respectively. It was observed that the tracheal cartilages were a complete ring in all study species, but there were differences in tracheal length, number of cartilages and dorsoventral flattening. Syrinx was found to be tracheal type in storks and tracheobronchial type in others. As a result, the similarities and differences of the data obtained from pigeon, falcon, sparrowhawk, eagle, crow, goose and stork on larynx, trachea and syrinx due to different hunting, singing and vocal characteristics were revealed.