Undergirding themes. -- The importance of avian physiology / Avian genomics / Transcriptomic analysis of physiological systems / Avian proteomics / Avian metabolomics / Mitochondrial physiology / Evolution of birds / Domestication of poultry / Sensory biology and nervous system theme. -- The avian somatosensory system : a comparative view / Avian vision / Avian hearing / Chemesthesis and olfaction / Taste in birds / Avian nociception and pain / Magnetoreception in birds and its use for long-distance migration / The avian subpallium and autonomic nervous system / Organ system theme. -- Blood / The cardiovascular system / Renal and extrarenal regulation of body fluid composition / Respiration / Gastrointestinal anatomy and physiology / Functional properties of avian intestinal cells / Avian bone physiology and poultry bone disorders / Skeletal muscle / Immunophysiology of the avian immune system / Metabolism theme. -- Carbohydrate metabolism / Adipose tissue and lipid metabolism / Protein metabolism / Food intake regulation / Endocrine theme. -- Overviews of avian neuropeptides and peptides / Pituitary gland / Thyroid gland / Mechanisms and hormonal regulation of shell formation : supply of ionic and organic precursors, shell mineralization / Adrenals / Endocrine pancreas / Reproductive theme. -- Reproduction in the female / Reproduction in male birds / The physiology of the avian embryo / Crosscutting themes. -- Stress ecophysiology / Avian welfare : fundamental concepts and scientific assessment / Reproductive behavior / Growth / Circadian rhythms / Circannual cycles and photoperiodism / Annual schedules / Regulation of body temperature : patterns and processes / Flight / Physiological challenges of migration / Actions of toxicants and endocrine disrupting chemicals in birds / Blood supplement / Carbohydrate supplementary materials