Skeletal/Muscular Systems

Skeletal:

-allows for birds to stand upright

-denser bones to overcome buoyancy compared to flying birds that have hollow, lightweight bones

- three sections of the skull correspond to certain portions of the brain

-two piece mandible

-larger sternum for swimming and sliding

-each limb has one bone, not including phalanges

Muscular:

-oxygen stored in myoglobin in muscle that allows deeper and longer dives
-wings and breast muscles help propel through the water