What unique anatomical feature, approximately five feet in length, coils into the sternum to enable the crane's loud, bugling call?
Answer
The trachea
The Whooping Crane possesses a specialized anatomical adaptation that is directly responsible for the great carrying distance of its vocalizations. Its trachea, or windpipe, is remarkably long, measuring about five feet in total length. Crucially, this long tube coils into the sternum, the breastbone structure of the bird. This complex coiling and length allow the bird to amplify and project its loud, bugling call across significant distances in the marsh environment. This structural feature is internal and relates directly to the bird's namesake characteristic—its powerful call—rather than its visual plumage or stature.
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