The [[Avian Digestive Tract - Anatomy & Physiology|avian alimentary system]] differs immensely from the basic mammalian design. Food can move in a retrograde fashion from the [[Proventriculus - Anatomy & Physiology|proventriculus]] to the [[Crop - Anatomy and Physiology|crop]]. Food can also pass from the [[Gizzard - Anatomy & Physiology|gizzard]], which is the equivalent of a muscular stomach back into the [[Proventriculus - Anatomy & Physiology|proventriculus]], or glandular stomach depending on particle size. The egestion of bones occurs once the nutritious material has been ingested. During reflux, gastric motility is inhibited and the pellet is expelled through the [[Avian Oral Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|oral cavity]] by oesophageal antiperistaltis. This cleans the [[Crop - Anatomy and Physiology|crop]] out and checking the pellet of captive birds should be undertaken daily to assess health. | The [[Avian Digestive Tract - Anatomy & Physiology|avian alimentary system]] differs immensely from the basic mammalian design. Food can move in a retrograde fashion from the [[Proventriculus - Anatomy & Physiology|proventriculus]] to the [[Crop - Anatomy and Physiology|crop]]. Food can also pass from the [[Gizzard - Anatomy & Physiology|gizzard]], which is the equivalent of a muscular stomach back into the [[Proventriculus - Anatomy & Physiology|proventriculus]], or glandular stomach depending on particle size. The egestion of bones occurs once the nutritious material has been ingested. During reflux, gastric motility is inhibited and the pellet is expelled through the [[Avian Oral Cavity - Anatomy & Physiology|oral cavity]] by oesophageal antiperistaltis. This cleans the [[Crop - Anatomy and Physiology|crop]] out and checking the pellet of captive birds should be undertaken daily to assess health. |