There are about 40 different what in a bird's wing?

MotherGoose

I would guess the answer is muscles - however, extensive googling only brings up one website to confirm this and it's not a website I'd regard as reputable. http://jacob.efinke.com/26-50.html Dec 22 06, 8:04 PM

zbeckabee

Muscles Quote: "There are two main flight muscles attaching to each wing. The pectoralis muscle powers the downstroke and is proportionately very large in birds (up to 35% of body weight). The supracoracoideus is much smaller and has a tendon which curves around to attach to the top of the humerus. The supracoracoideus can provide power to the upstroke if required but more usually produces a rapid rotation of the humerus at the top of the upstroke." "In addition there are 48 other muscles within the wing and around the shoulder which produce the wide range of movements of the wing and its feathers." http://www.nurseminerva.co.uk/adapt/bird.htm Dec 22 06, 8:04 PM

What-A-Mess

I would have to say Muscles..... http://www.wfu.edu/biology/albatross/activity/winganatomy.htm http://www.wfu.edu/biology/albatross/activity/winganatomy.htm Not close to forty bones! Dec 22 06, 11:57 PM

tragic_flawed

According to Petersen's "Advance Birding" there over 40 variations in feather-functional types. Dec 23 06, 8:27 PM