Unique Aspects of the Avian GI System

Jennifer Graham, DVM, DABVP (Avian/Exotic Companion Mammal), associate professor of zoological animal medicine at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, talks about some of the unique aspects of the avian GI system.

Dr. Graham explains that birds have a segment of their esophagus called a crop—a sac-like area where food can accumulate. Also, instead of a true stomach like carnivore, birds have a proventriculus and a ventriculus. Depending on the type of bird, there can be a lot of differences in terms of anatomy.