Despite the fact that the level of organization of birds is much lower than mammals, the central nervous system of these animals compares favorably with amphibians and reptiles. In particular, the brain of birds is much more complex, which allows them to master new activities, behaviors. The mass of the brain of a bird is from 0.2 to 5% of its total body weight.
Bird Cortex
The first thing you should pay attention to when studying the brain of birds is the peculiarly developed cerebral cortex. Despite the fact that it is not very complicated in structure, this does not prevent the birds from demonstrating quite complex forms of behavior. It is this that gives us the opportunity to draw conclusions that the degree of development of the cerebral cortex is not always directly proportional to the development of a particular species. Moreover, studies have shown that this part of the brain in birds is more responsible not for intellectual development, but for smell. This is explained, first of all, by the fact that during the evolutionary process it lost its original purpose and significantly decreased in size. The behavior of birds is coordinated by a slightly different part of the brain, which will be discussed a little later.
Parts of the brain of a bird
Consider the main sections of the bird's brain. The forebrain of birds was inherited from their reptile siblings. However, the functions and structure of this part of the brain in animals are different. The cortex of the forebrain of birds covers it mainly in the region of the lateral and upper parts. Separately, it is worth noting the lower part of the forebrain of the bird called striatum. The upper area of the striatum - the hyperstriatum - is responsible for the intellectual development of the bird, and it was noted that the stronger the brain area is developed in the bird, the more perfect forms of behavior it can demonstrate (it is not difficult to guess that budgies, canaries, and crows are distinguished by the most developed hyperstriatum). Removal of this part of the brain provokes a deterioration in the ability of birds to learn, as well as memorization and recognition. Another well-developed part of the brain of birds is the cerebellum, which provides birds with the opportunity to make the most complex movements during the flight. At the same time, the diencephalon is rather poorly developed; a small pineal gland is located on its surface. The visual lobes of the brain are developed quite well, which provides birds with a well-developed vision, allowing them to navigate the terrain well. Another developed sensory organ of any bird is hearing. Touch, taste and smell are developed mainly in nocturnal predators, in other birds they are represented medium. Also, the brain of birds has 12 pairs of cranial nerves extending from it. It is connected to the spinal cord with the help of the medulla oblongata.
The importance of the parts of the brain of birds
Such a structure of the brain of birds provides them with the development of such complex and diverse behavioral forms as the ability to migrate, care for offspring, rational activity, good learning, the structure of nests.
