| Present in |
Birds |
Mammals, including humans |
| Structure |
Complex, specialized structure |
Structurally simple |
| Function |
Responsible for vocalization in birds |
Responsible for vocalization in mammalian |
| Location |
Located at the base of the trachea, where the trachea splits into the bronchi |
Located in the throat, below the pharynx |
| Number |
Birds usually have one syrinx |
Humans and most mammals have one larynx |
| Sound Production |
Sound is produced by the vibration of membranes |
Sound is produced by the vibration of vocal cords |
| Flexibility |
Highly flexible, allowing complex vocalizations |
Less flexible, limited range of sounds |
| Control |
Birds have precise control over individual muscles in the syrinx, allowing for a wide range of sounds |
Mammals, including humans, have control over the tension and position of vocal cords for speech production |
| Variation |
The structure of the syrinx varies widely among bird species |
The basic structure of the larynx is more consistent among mammals |
| Development |
In birds, the syrinx develops independently of the respiratory system |
In mammals, the larynx is integrated with the respiratory system |
