Changes

 

Also known as: '''''Ingluvies'''''

Also known as: '''''Ingluvies'''''

The crop is a food storage device present in avian species. It is usually used when the muscular stomach ([[Gizzard - Anatomy & Physiology|gizzard]]) is full. The crop also softens food.

The crop is a food storage device present in avian species. It is usually used when the muscular stomach ([[Gizzard - Anatomy & Physiology|gizzard]]) is full. The crop also softens food.

It is a useful tool for avian veterinarians and owners for assessing when the bird last ate and it is especially important to ensure young chicks always have full crops. It is also a common site for impactions and surgical entry to remove foreign bodies.

It is a useful tool for avian veterinarians and owners for assessing if a bird has recently eaten and it is especially important to ensure young chicks always have full crops. It is also a common site for impactions, rupture and surgical entry to remove foreign bodies.

==Structure and Function==

==Structure and Function==

==Species Differences==

==Species Differences==

The crop is small in '''ducks''' and '''geese''' and is much larger and muscular in '''seed eating birds'''. '''Pigeons''' have epithelial cells in their crop sensitive to prolactin which slough when chicks (squabs) hatch, producing crop milk. '''Owls''' have no storage facility in their crops, so produce a pellet of indigestible material after every meal.

The crop is absent or vestigial in '''waterfowl''' (ducks, swans and geese) and '''owls''' and tends to be much larger and muscular in '''seed eating birds''' and '''carnivorous birds of prey'''. '''Pigeons''' have epithelial cells in their crop sensitive to prolactin which slough when chicks (squabs) hatch, producing crop milk.  

==Links==

==Links==

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[[Category:Avian Alimentary System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:Avian Alimentary System - Anatomy & Physiology]]

[[Category:A&P Done]]

[[Category:A&P Done]]