Macro anatomy of the organs of digestive and respiratory system of an adult male stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)

Abstract

Kingfishers are good hunters of fish from ponds, rivers, canals, and from other wetlands. Kingfisher species are found in the oriental region and their scarcity in the New World and Palaearctic region denotes that little attention has been paid to ornithologists in this regard. Therefore, the purpose of this particular study was to describe the macro anatomical features of the organs of the digestive and respiratory systems of stork billed kingfisher and to compare them with domestic birds. This study showed that the beak was heavier and strong. The tongue showed a blunt apex with a central depression. The esophagus was a long thin-walled dilatable tube without any crop. Instead of the crop, it has the dilatation of the esophagus near the thoracic inlet. Gizzard was comparatively softer in consistency and jejunum was coiled in shape. Interestingly, there was no caecum and the colorectum was shorter in length. Considering the respiratory system,thelungs were longer in size harboring impressions of seven ribs. At the bifurcation of the trachea, there was a laterally compressed structure called the syrinx, similar to domestic chicken. All these anatomical modifications might be due to their environmental adaptation. Thus, this research will broadly help our clinicians and conservationist to take further steps toward disease diagnosis and monitoring the conservation of this species.