False Statement About Avian Respiration

Which statement is NOT true about avian respiration?

Correct Answer (False Statement): Birds have nine PAIR air sacs

This is incorrect. Birds have nine air sacs total (not nine pairs). The correct number is 9 air sacs.

The Nine Air Sacs of Birds

• 2 Cervical air sacs
• 2 Anterior (cranial) thoracic air sacs
• 2 Posterior (caudal) thoracic air sacs
• 2 Abdominal air sacs
• 1 Unpaired clavicular air sac
• Total = 9 air sacs (not 9 pairs)

True Statements About Avian Respiration

• ✔ Respiratory system of birds is more efficient than mammals.
• ✔ Diaphragm is absent in birds.
• ✔ Both inspiration and expiration are active processes in birds (unlike mammals where expiration is passive).
• ✔ Site of gaseous exchange: Parabronchi (NOT air sacs — air sacs are avascular).
• ✔ Birds have a larynx but it is not used for sound — syrinx is the voice box in birds.