RESUMEN
The anatomy and function of the lingual apparatus of the Egyptian kite, Milvus migrans aegyptius, are given in the present work. This bird is belonging to the catch-and-killing group. Preys are catched with the strong feet, killed and cut into pieces with its sharp curved beaks. Food pieces are manipulated into the buccal cavity by a well developed lingual apparatus. The tongue of Milvus is highly mobile due to the presence of: a] an anterior cartilaginous portion of paraglossale, b] foramen paraglossalis, c] skeletal hyoid elements having two types of articulations: diarthrosis and synchondrosis, d] strong hyoid suspension with the skull through the Fasciae vaginales hyoidei. The good manipulation of food pieces by the fleshy tongue is due to the following characters. 1- The presence of a strong keratinized epithelium, the lingual nail, which underleis the anterior portion of the tongue. 2- Very well developed protractor and retractor muscles to increase the efficiency of the tongue during its slow movements in the buccal cavity, to force fully push of the food bolus into the oesophagus. 3- Dorsal ridges on the dorsal surface of the free portion of the tongue. 4- Numerous lingual papillae. 5- Four paired and one unpaired developed salivary glands enabling the tongue in the transconfiguration during the feeding mechanism. An evaluation of the obtained results, as well as a comparison with other birds of different feeding behaviour were discussed