Avian (Bird) Anatomy – Images of Head & Beak by Jeannine Miesle
Beauty of Birds Editorial Team
May 7, 2022 · Updated August 13, 2023 · 3 min read

Main Article: Avian Medical Terms / Health & Diseases by Jeannine Miesle, MA, Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians …
Avian Anatomy Image Gallery (NOTE: Some of the images / illustrations on this and linked pages may be too graphic for young audiences. We recommend parental supervision and approval.)
- Skeletal System … Feathers & Skin … Cloaca and Bursa of Fabricus … Muscles and Tendons, Feather Piloerection
- Bird Head & Beak (scroll down) … Bird Eye / Ear Anatomy / Sensory Perception … Bird Brain & Nervous System
- Respiratory System … Bird Reproductive Organs … Bird Digestive System … Circulatory System – Blood & Heart … Glands … Liver & Kidneys / Surgical Instruments
- Cells, Genetics & DNA … Wound Healing
HEAD AND BEAK
Choana slit and papillae in birds http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=choana+in+birds+images&view=detailv2&&qpvt=choana+in+birds+ima ges&id=E23195B97BD5D34EF15D4D756D942CFAFAA603E1&selectedIndex=0&ccid=uzrGuVSo&simid=608 0

Scaly-face mites http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=scaly+face+mites+on+parakeets&view=detailv2&&qpvt=scaly+face+mit es+on+parakeets&id=4F70DC07284F721D6EE0BB3E5AA7762E1577DF42&selectedIndex=22&ccid=OxbbIFy 8&simid=608045156389421683&thid=JN.mV3PuIW0gwyZJUBnKbSr8w&ajaxhist=0

Scissors beak in an African Grey http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=scissors+beak+in+birds&view=detailv2&&&id=B8A107148938A4CA38 17BF12BEBF8FAACA26540A&selectedIndex=0&ccid=8dxozEDb&simid=607998435718859725&thid=JN.urU 8ZhuB96gZWA2ABYEVIA&ajaxhist=0

Mandibular prognathism in a cockatoo http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww53eiv.htm

Beak injury causing beak to curve to the left. Beauty of Birds http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=long+bones+of+birds&view=detailv2&&&id=9E6BF074250969B540BB4D41E4C1 CE6521FBE206&selectedIndex=516&ccid=CXcd2qxA&simid=608008988442364702&thid=JN.Tk%2f9OVffCoLASMghvR vrqg&ajaxhist=0

Beak overgrowth in a budgie http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=hernia+in+birds&view=detailv2&&&id=19081B521E603E133CCBE5A0 977EB025073DD584&selectedIndex=142&ccid=pUJPBtAB&simid=607987028284803912&thid=JN.uw8wIGhh 1Y6uT61FGAs9xA&ajaxhist=0

Parts of the beak (rhamphotheca) http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=tomium+of+bird&view=detailv2&&&id=FDAC569EAF3856BBE53A26D 6386A6EB6C019F1CB&selectedIndex=0&ccid=CNstwJ%2fA&simid=608022685151331234&thid=JN.kBYikJe m%2bsshIebPKrhUDQ&ajaxhist=0
Figure 1: Key anatomical features of the beak (rhamphotheca) are highlighted: (1) cere, (2) rhinotheca, (3) commisure, (4) tomium and (5) gnathotheca. Courtesy Laura Wade, DVM, ABVP (Avian)

Craniofacial hinge http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+glottis&view=detailv2&&&id=19F36453DEA8572015FDD0ED95C 7EAEC41AE09CD&selectedIndex=0&ccid=ogpWS2Ug&simid=608004298336109970&thid=JN.DAtJUsry08c% 2fjgBQEtA7%2fw&ajaxhist=0

Culmen, crown, cere, nares, eye, mandible (lower part of beak), maxilla (upper part of beak) http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+culmen&view=detailv2&&&id=60F36FDDBD17B4A00CFB13A388 5A101989D70B7E&selectedIndex=45&ccid=BM+bHshG&simid=608006012007285599&thid=HN.6080060120 0728 75

Culman and Nail http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+glottis&view=detailv2&&&id=19F36453DEA8572015FDD0ED95C 7EAEC41AE09CD&selectedIndex=0&ccid=ogpWS2Ug&simid=608004298336109970&thid=JN.DAtJUsry08c% 2fjgBQEtA7%2fw&ajaxhist=0

Bird cere (1) and nares (2) Operculum inside the nares, Nasal fossa http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+nasal+area&view=detailv2&&&id=CB4EDF1B3BA632712B652562618564FD 5ECF1B4A&selectedIndex=15&ccid=jePtlz%2fT&simid=608034294410052299&thid=JN.jL8i4XqsD0%2fKEHAmi8cCyw& ajaxhist=0

Turkey’s Caruncle http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=caruncle+of+turkey&view=detailv2&&&id=163EFCCFB426FA65875094F06B0303 1E1E78C599&selectedIndex=0&ccid=2wwpWZ6h&simid=608019579860877619&thid=JN.ZOmxZb6qFEV4%2fDzogcFri Q&ajaxhist=0 B-16

Frontal shield– yellow area http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=frontal+shield+in+birds&view=detailv2&&&id=F02DE6C37A97C5FF9091147D8A5 362FACC500D18&selectedIndex=0&ccid=QCMRpTlQ&simid=608023930669238756&thid=JN.vijO%2faYd6Qrmoph6KRh 2Sg&ajaxhist=0

Choanal slit and papillae http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=avian+throat&view=detailv2&&&id=4D56AD7F89E3183F37E4 632A6D59487190B1DBA5&selectedIndex=32&ccid=df9FkrbE&simid=608049094849007014&thid=J N.7Ja/dXWCkGL+2dn0mixWWA

Lingual nail on bird’s tongue (cockatoo) http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=bird+tongue+anatomy&view=detailv2&&&id=F01C285AB17C37CAE0B 5AF24B1592F4FCBC10E86&selectedIndex=102&ccid=G6nooEbc&simid=608049099161208832&thid=JN.85b 7GbXv9tn%2bf9bG95sY4A&ajaxhist=0

Bird’s lore and facial parts http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=birds+face+diagram&view=detailv2&&&id=327AAF7D0C0CA659868EC1E4C60A 87EF7F0670A5&selectedIndex=6&ccid=JaRcEILV&simid=608013450929179033&thid=JN.OpB5jyR1lG9XGs86tdIqdg&aj axhist=0

Forehead, nape, surpraorbital ridge, gape http://www.peruaves.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/harrier\_head.jpg

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=gonys+in+birds&view=detailv2&&&id=B74EAAC66D5EE20B8D47C98B693C7A56 5A53AAB7&selectedIndex=351&ccid=R1zcOkos&simid=608003168762922226&thid=JN.lPr4vqRAapacEzT6D1qZqQ NEOPLASMS, GROWTHS Parakeet Keratoma: uropygial gland http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/multimedia/v4734284.html?Ref=t&ItemId=v4734284&RefId=exotic\_and _laboratory_animals/pet_birds/neoplastic_diseases_of_pet_birds&Speed=256&Plugin=WMP&Error=

Fibrosarcoma, parakeet. This mass shows the typical ulcerated surface. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/multimedia/v4734293.html?Ref=t&ItemId=v4734293&RefId=exotic\_and _laboratory_animals/pet_birds/neoplastic_diseases_of_pet_birds&Speed=256&Plugin=WMP&Error=

Fibrosarcoma, beak, parakeet. The beak and face are common sites for fibrosarcoma formation in the pet bird. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/multimedia/v4734194.html?Ref=t&ItemId=v4734194&RefId=exotic\_and _laboratory_animals/pet_birds/neoplastic_diseases_of_pet_birds&Speed=256&Plugin=WMP&Error=

Viral Papilloma http://southnottsringinggroup.blogspot.com/2012\_02\_01\_archive.html

Jeannine Miesle, M.A., M.Ed, Allied Member, Association of Avian Veterinarians is an important contributor to Beauty of Birds. Jeannine has done considerable writing, proofreading and editing for journals and newsletters over the years. She had taught English and music in the schools and presently is an organist at Bethany Church in West Chester, Ohio. She also administrates a Facebook group, The Science of Avian Health.
Jeannine takes in rescued cockatiels and presently has twelve birds. When they come to her they remain as part of her flock.
Filed under: Health
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