Last Updated on January 26, 2025 by Mitch Rezman

Birds are amazing creatures, and one thing that makes them super cool is how their lungs work.

Bird lungs are very different from the ones humans have, and they are specially designed to help birds breathe while flying, singing, or just hanging out. Let’s break it all down so you can understand it easily!

The Bird Lung: Attached and Steady

Unlike our lungs, which expand and shrink when we breathe in and out, a bird’s lungs stay the same size. They don’t move or change shape at all! The bird’s lungs are firmly stuck to the walls inside their chest (called the thoracic wall) and to a special flat sheet of tissue underneath called the horizontal septum.

Because bird lungs don’t expand, they rely on something called air sacs to help them move air in and out. These air sacs act like balloons and work together with the lungs to make breathing happen.

What Are Air Sacs, and Where Are They?

Air sacs are super important for birds. These sacs are like extra pockets of air inside their bodies that help push fresh air through their lungs. Let’s imagine them as little bellows (a tool used to blow air). The air sacs fill up and empty out, moving air through the lungs.

Birds have several air sacs located in different parts of their body:

1. Beneath the Horizontal Septum: This is the area under the lungs.
2. Around the Intestines: A special tissue called the oblique septum separates the air sacs from the bird’s digestive system.
3. In the Abdomen: The largest air sac, called the abdominal air sac, sits in the lower part of the bird’s body.

How Air Moves Through a Bird’s Lungs

Air doesn’t flow in and out of bird lungs the same way it does in humans. Instead, it moves in one direction, kind of like a one-way street. This special system keeps fresh air constantly flowing through the lungs, so the bird always gets plenty of oxygen.

Here’s how it works step by step:

1. Primary Bronchus: Air first enters the bird’s body through a big tube called the primary bronchus.
2. Secondary Bronchi: This main tube splits into smaller tubes. Four of these smaller tubes are called ventrobronchi (at the front), and seven to ten are called dorsobronchi (toward the back). There are also laterobronchi, which connect everything together.
3. Parabronchi: These are the tiny tubes where gas exchange happens. They connect the ventrobronchi to the dorsobronchi and laterobronchi. Oxygen from the air goes into the bird’s blood here, and carbon dioxide comes out.

What Makes Bird Breathing Special?

The air sacs and the shape of the tubes inside a bird’s lungs make it possible for air to flow in one direction only. Even when the bird breathes out, fresh air still moves through the lungs! This is very different from how humans breathe, where air goes in and out of the same tubes.

Here’s a quick summary of how it works:

• Inhalation (breathing in): Air fills the rear air sacs first, then flows through the lungs.
• Exhalation (breathing out): Air from the rear sacs moves forward through the lungs, while used air gets pushed out of the body.

This constant flow of fresh air gives birds the energy they need to fly and stay active.

The Two Types of Breathing Networks in Birds

Birds have two types of parabronchial networks in their lungs. Think of these as two different “road systems” for air:

1. Paleopulmo (Old Lung): This is the basic system found in all birds. It’s made up of the primary bronchus, the secondary bronchi, and the air sacs. Air flows in one direction through this network, no matter whether the bird is breathing in or out.
2. Neopulmo (New Lung): Some birds, especially ones that have evolved more, have an extra system called the neopulmo. This network can change the direction of airflow depending on the breathing phase.

Why Are Bird Lungs So Efficient?

Birds need a lot of oxygen, especially when they’re flying high in the sky where there’s less air. Their unique lung structure makes sure they get a steady supply of fresh oxygen all the time.

• Parabronchi and Blood Vessels: The parabronchi are surrounded by tiny blood vessels, allowing oxygen to pass into the blood quickly. At the same time, carbon dioxide (the waste gas) leaves the blood and gets pushed out of the body.

This design is so efficient that birds can fly for long distances without running out of energy.

Why Don’t Our Lungs Work Like This?

Humans and other mammals breathe differently because we don’t need to fly or work as hard to get oxygen. Our lungs expand and contract, and air flows in and out of the same tubes. This works fine for us, but it wouldn’t be enough for a bird’s active lifestyle.

Fun Fact: Birds Are Breathing Masters!

Did you know that some birds, like geese, can fly over mountains where there’s very little oxygen? That’s because their lungs are so good at extracting oxygen from the air. In fact, bird lungs are so efficient that scientists study them to learn how to make better machines and breathing systems for humans!

Conclusion

The next time you see a bird flying, remember how special their lungs are. With air sacs, parabronchi, and a one-way airflow system, birds have a unique way of breathing that helps them stay energetic and active. It’s just one more reason why birds are some of the coolest animals around!

Now you know how bird lungs work—pretty awesome, right?

Written by Mitch Rezman and the Windy City Parrot content team.

Author Profile

Mitch Rezman

Latest entries

• Bird & Parrot AnatomyJanuary 26, 2025How Do Bird Lungs Work? An Easy Explanation.
• Bird & Parrot CareJanuary 25, 2025Understanding Anesthesia and Sedation in Birds: A Simple Guide
• Bird EnviornmentsJanuary 25, 2025Comprehending Beak and Feather Disease Virus (BFDV) in Parrots
• Bathing and HealthJanuary 25, 2025An EZ Understanding of Lipid Metabolism in Parrots and Parakeets