Air sacs (sacci pneumatici) in the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus)

Abstract

Although, a lot of researchers have investigated air sacs in several birds' species, there hasn't been any information about the long-legged buzzard's air sacs. This study aimed to observe the air sacs of mature long-legged buzzard. So the sacs of 5 adult birds were treated by takilon from methylmethacrylate group and colored-neoprene latex for polymerization in order to show and demonstrate the total volume of air sacs and invaded bone tissues. The morphology of the sacs, which was described, was similar to that of other bird species. Significant characteristics such as an additional cardiac diverticulum of the cranial thoracic sac and diverticulum interpulmonalis of saccus cervicalis were demonstrated. We also showed that first four vertebras were not pneumatized in long legged buzzard.