Scanning electron microscopic study of the tongue in the peregrine falcon and common kestrel

Abstract

The dorsal lingual surfaces of an adult peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The length of the tongue in the peregrine falcon was about 2.5 cm. The length of the tongue in the common kestrel was about 1.5 cm. The tips of the tongues of the peregrine falcon and common kestrel were bifid. Three parts were distinguished in the tongues of the peregrine falcon and common kestrel: the apex, the body and the root of the tongue. The region of the openings of the lingual glands between the lingual apex and lingual root was very wide area in each bird. There were carpet-shaped epithelium in the lingual apex in each bird. The many openings of the lingual glands existed in the lingual body and lingual root in each bird. The morphological characteristics of the tongues in the peregrine falcon and common kestrel were similar to each other.