Anatomy

Birds have a lightweight skeleton. Most of the bones of flying birds are thin and hollow; and some have internal struts or trusses (cross walls) that make them very strong. (Some flightless birds, like penguins, have solid bones.) The keel-shaped sternum (breastbone) is where the powerful flight muscles attach to the body.

Birds have a smaller total number of bones than mammals or reptiles. This is because many of their bones are fused together (like the middle to lower vertebrae), making the skeleton more rigid.

Birds also have more neck (cervical) vertebrae than many other animals; most have 13 to 25 of these very flexible neck vertebrae (this helps them groom their feathers). Birds are are the only vertebrate animals to have a fused collarbone (the furcula or wishbone) or a keeled breastbone.

Bird Walk is located at Federation Square Ginninderra Village, Canberra, Australia

Open 7 Days Summer 10 am - 4:30 pm Winter 11 am - 3:30 pm

Admission is charged.Wheel chair access is avaliable.

Phone 02 6230 2044 Fax 02 6254 6369 mob 0414718798