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First published online August 18, 2005
Journal of Experimental Biology 208, 3395-3407 (2005)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2005
doi: 10.1242/jeb.01769

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The kinematics of feeding and drinking in palaeognathous birds in relation to cranial morphology

Sander W. S. Gussekloo^* and Ron G. Bout

Institute of Biology Leiden, Evolutionary Morphology, Leiden University, Kaiserstraat 63, NL-2311 GP Leiden, The Netherlands

^* Author for correspondence at present address: Division of Anatomy and Physiology, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands (e-mail: s.w.s.gussekloo{at}vet.uu.nl)

Accepted 29 June 2005

Cranial kinesis is an important feature in avian feeding behaviour and involves the transmission of quadrate movement to the upper bill by the Pterygoid–Palatinum Complex (PPC). The PPC in Palaeognathae is remarkably different from that found in Neognathae. In this study we analyse whether the special morphology of the PPC is an adaptation to the feeding behaviour of the Palaeognathae. Behavioural analyses of the rhea Rhea americana showed that the feeding behaviour of the rhea is typical `Catch and Throw' behaviour, independent of the size of the food item. Drinking is achieved by a scooping movement followed by a low-amplitude tip-up phase. During feeding rhynchokinetic movements of the upper bill were observed. However, cranial kinesis was limited and may differ from rhynchokinesis in neognathes as a clear bending zone seemed absent. Since the movement patterns are considered very similar to the basic feeding behaviour in neognathous birds it is concluded that the specific morphology of the PPC is not the result of specific functional demands from palaeognathous feeding behaviour.

Key words: feeding behaviour, palaeognathae, cranial morphology, adaptation, Rhea americana

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