Bird terrestrial locomotion as revealed by 3D kinematics

Abstract

Most birds use at least two modes of locomotion: flying and walking (terrestrial locomotion). Whereas the wings and tail are used for flying, the legs are mainly used for walking. The role of other body segments remains, however, poorly understood. In this study, we examine the kinematics of the head, the trunk, and the legs during terrestrial locomotion in the quail (Coturnix coturnix). Despite the trunk representing about 70% of the total body mass, its function in locomotion has received little scientific interest to date. This prompted us to focus on its role in terrestrial locomotion. We used high-speed video fluoroscopic recordings of quails walking at voluntary speeds on a trackway. Dorso-ventral and lateral views of the motion of the skeletal elements were recorded successively and reconstructed in three dimensions using a novel method based on the temporal synchronisation of both views. An analysis of the trajectories of the body parts and their coordination showed that the trunk plays an important role during walking. Moreover, two sub-systems participate in the gait kinematics: (i) the integrated 3D motion of the trunk and thighs allows for the adjustment of the path of the centre of mass; (ii) the motion of distal limbs transforms the alternating forward motion of the feet into a continuous forward motion at the knee and thus assures propulsion. Finally, head bobbing appears qualitatively synchronised to the movements of the trunk. An important role for the thigh muscles in generating the 3D motion of the trunk is suggested by an analysis of the pelvic anatomy.

Comparative intralimb coordination in avian bipedal locomotion

“…A rather continuous increase in hip motions when increasing speed can be expected for birds of all sizes (see below). This is supported by further X-ray videographic data on quail recently published by Abourachid et al (Abourachid et al, 2011), who found hip extension during stance and whose overall results are consistent with our data on quail during slow locomotion.…”

“…Such a hip joint is also convenient for fulfilling other locomotor behaviors common for jackdaw, such as climbing into breeding burrows and chimneys or for diagonally walking on thin branches and manipulating items, etc. The relatively minute pelvic movements found in quail and tinamou in the present study have also been found in guinea fowl, ostrich and other quail individuals (Abourachid et al, 2011;Gatesy, 1999a;Rubenson et al, 2007). Locomotion with minute pelvic motions, as in grounddwellers and the rather waddling walk of Passeriformes or Anseriformes, do not represent different strategies of avian terrestrial locomotion.…”

“…C. monedula). Currently, knowledge of intralimb coordination of avian terrestrial locomotion is restricted to guinea fowl (Gatesy, 1999a;Gatesy, 1999b), chicken (Jacobson and Hollyday, 1982;Manion, 1984;Muir et al, 1996), quail (Reilly, 2000;Abourachid et al, 2011), pigeon (Cracraft, 1971), magpie (Verstappen et al, 2000) and several Struthioniformes (e.g. Abourachid and Renous, 2000;Jindrich et al, 2007;Rubenson et al, 2007;Smith et al, 2010).…”

“…Although Gatesy (Gatesy, 1999a) demonstrated the necessity of applying X-ray technology for an accurate and reproducible analysis of the kinematics of avian terrestrial locomotion, very few studies have since used this method in analyses of avian bipedalism (Abourachid et al, 2011;Provini et al, 2012). As proximal segments and joints, as well as the pelvis, are obscured by feathers, wings and musculature, X-ray videography is crucial to the precise quantification of avian hindlimb kinematics (Gatesy, 1999a;Abourachid et al, 2011).…”

Feeding behaviour of broiler chickens: a review on the biomechanical characteristics

“…insects (Dangles et al, 2006;Wu et al, 2008;Nguyen et al, 2010;Truong et al, 2012); fish (Korff & Wainwright, 2004;Herrel et al, 2005;Huber et al, 2008;Wroe et al, 2008;Huber et al, 2009;Mara et al, 2009;Habegger et al, 2010;Tran et al, 2010); rodents (Bracha et al, 2003;Sakatani & Isa, 2004;Herbin et al, 2007;Morita et al, 2008;Beare et al, 2009;Fu et al, 2009;Stefen et al, 2011); reptiles (Deban & O'Reilly, 2005;Herrel & O'Reilly, 2006;Fuller et al, 2011;Schaerlaeken et al, 2011); birds (Westneat et al, 1993;Estrella & Masero, 2007;Abourachid et al, 2011;Dawson et al, 2011;Smith et al, 2011); as well as in humans (Arampatzis et al, 1999;Yoganandan et al, 2002;Imura et al, 2008;Shan, 2008;Bakker et al, 2009;Steeve, 2010). The main topics treated are flight features, bite force analysis, cognitive functions assessments by realtime tracking, anatomical and physiological study of locomotion, evaluation of mandibular motion and muscle activity during ingestion or vocalization, the effect of food type on feeding efficiency, 3-D bones reconstruction for motion morphology assessments, among others.…”