Specialized primary feathers produce tonal sounds during flight in rock pigeons (Columba livia).

Histopathological and Serum Enzyme Changes of Propofol Combined with Pre-Anesthetic Agents in Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia)

Objective- Because of the several differences between avian and mammalian physiology and anatomy, avian anesthesia requires to be more attentive. The aim of this study was to determine a safe injectable anesthetic agent that had more compatibility with the avian features. Design- Experimental study Animals- Twelve male pigeons...

A comparative study on some cardiopulmonary effects, anesthesia quality, and recovery time of isoflurane vs. propofol in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domesticus)

BACKGROUND: It is commonly acknowledged that the most safe and method of choice anesthesia in birds is inhalation anesthesia but in some clinical situations, such as tracheal resection, injectable anesthetic agents are the only choice of surgeons regardless of whether or not an anesthesia machine is available. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the quality of anesthesia and recovery time o...

Pectoralis Muscle Force and Power Output during Different Modes of Flight in Pigeons

Pigeons trade efficiency for stability in response to level of challenge during confined flight.

Individuals traversing challenging obstacles are faced with a decision: they can adopt traversal strategies that minimally disrupt their normal locomotion patterns or they can adopt strategies that substantially alter their gait, conferring new advantages and disadvantages. We flew pigeons (Columba livia) through an array of vertical obstacles in a flight arena, presenting them with this choice...

Aeroelastic flutter of feathers, flight and the evolution of non-vocal communication in birds.

Tonal, non-vocal sounds are widespread in both ordinary bird flight and communication displays. We hypothesized these sounds are attributable to an aerodynamic mechanism intrinsic to flight feathers: aeroelastic flutter. Individual wing and tail feathers from 35 taxa (from 13 families) that produce tonal flight sounds were tested in a wind tunnel. In the wind tunnel, all of these feathers could...