Functional morphological study on the tongue of the adult Egyptian geese (Alopochen egyptiacus)

The collected data described that the geese tongue was elongated in shape, its dorsum covered with keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and had two groups of mechanical marginal papillae which were necessary for the herbivorous birds as geese, depended on grassing as feeding behavior. Besides keratinization is a sign of tongue modification protecting lingual tissue against hard food particles. Conducting morphological results about geese tongue offers guidance and insights for its adaptation function and the management of this bird species.