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This image shows a Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) embryo inside its egg. The image was captured using MRI and 3D rendered to show various layers of information about the external egg structure and the developing embryo inside. This embryo is 6-days-old and about 14 mm in length at this stage.

Avian embryos are important experimental models for investigating embryonic development and in particular the processes that control the laying down of the body plan and organogenesis. Their importance is due, at least in part, to the fact that they are encased within an egg which provides nearly all the components necessary for development allowing scientists to study the development of the embryo outside the body of the mother.

 In addition to the embryo, the egg is composed of extra-embryonic and non-embryonic components. The extra-embryonic components (e.g. yolk sac, allantois and amnion) are temporary structures participating in fundamental metabolic processes such as respiration, nutrition and excretion. The non-embryonic components of the egg (e.g. yolk, albumen and shell) provide nutrients and also physical and microbial protection for the growing embryo.

3D MRI of a six-day-old quail embryo alive inside its egg.

Blood smear from a bird showing the prolific nucleated red blood cells and a variety of white blood cells. The small, compact, purple-stained cells are thrombocytes, the larger pink and purple cells are heterophils. Bird red blood cells differ from mammalian red blood cells by retaining their nuclei. The sample has been stained with haemotoxylin (purple) and eosin (pink)

Avian blood

Blood smear from a bird showing the prolific nucleated red blood cells and a variety of white blood cells. The small, compact, purple-stained cell is a thrombocyte, the larger pinky purple cell is a heterophil and the large purple cell is likely to be a basophil. Bird red blood cells differ from mammalian red blood cells by retaining their nuclei. The sample has been stained with haemotoxylin (purple) and eosin (pink)

This image shows the surface structure of a Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) egg. The image was captured as part of a series of MRI scans to show the development of a 6-day-old quail embryo. The developing live embryo within this egg would be about 14 mm in length at this stage.

Avian embryos are important experimental models for investigating embryonic development and in particular the processes that control the laying down of the body plan and organogenesis. Their importance is due, at least in part, to the fact that they are encased within an egg which provides nearly all the components necessary for development allowing scientists to study the development of the embryo outside the body of the mother.

 In addition to the embryo, the egg is composed of extra-embryonic and non-embryonic components. The extra-embryonic components (e.g. yolk sac, allantois and amnion) are temporary structures participating in fundamental metabolic processes such as respiration, nutrition and excretion. The non-embryonic components of the egg (e.g. yolk, albumen and shell) provide nutrients and also physical and microbial protection for the growing embryo.

3D MRI of a 6-day-old quail egg

This image shows a Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) embryo inside its egg. The image was captured using MRI and 3D rendered to show various layers of information about the external egg structure and the developing embryo inside. This embryo is 6-days-old and about 14 mm in length at this stage.

Avian embryos are important experimental models for investigating embryonic development and in particular the processes that control the laying down of the body plan and organogenesis. Their importance is due, at least in part, to the fact that they are encased within an egg which provides nearly all the components necessary for development allowing scientists to study the development of the embryo outside the body of the mother.

In addition to the embryo, the egg is composed of extra-embryonic and non-embryonic components. The extra-embryonic components (e.g. yolk sac, allantois and amnion) are temporary structures participating in fundamental metabolic processes such as respiration, nutrition and excretion. The non-embryonic components of the egg (e.g. yolk, albumen and shell) provide nutrients and also physical and microbial protection for the growing embryo.

This image set is a study of 3D reconstructed African Grey Parrot post-euthanasia. The 3D model details the highly intricate vasculature system of the bird and was made possible through the use of a new research contrast agent called BriteVu® (Scarlet Imaging). This contrast agent can cast the cardiovascular down to the capillary level, allowing researchers to study a subject's vascular system with incredible detail.


2,933 CT (computed tomography) images at 100 micrometer slice thickness were utilised for this series. These 2D images were converted into 3D representations using tissue segmentation based on tissue density, resulting in Stereolithography (.STL) 3D models of the skin and brain, cardiovascular system and skeletal system. The models were then textured and rendered to produce these images. 


The parrot model measures 27.83 (h) x 8.15 (d) x 9.48 (w) centimeters.

Microvasculature of the African Grey Parrot

Faramarz meets Simurgh on Mount Alberz, from the Shah Nameh, 10th century Persian epic of the Kings

Shah Namah, the Persian Epic of the Kings

Blood smear from a bird showing the prolific nucleated red blood cells and a variety of white blood cells. The small, compact, purple-stained cells are thrombocytes, the larger pink and purple cells are heterophils and the large purple cells are likely to be basophils. Bird red blood cells differ from mammalian red blood cells by retaining their nuclei. The sample has been stained with haemotoxylin (purple) and eosin (pink)

The width of the image is 18.4 millimetres.

A microCT 3D reconstruction of a 10-day-old chick embryo, as seen from the right hand side. The inner ear is depicted, with the semicircular canals (the body's balance organ) and the cochlea (which converts sound waves into electrical impulses) shown in green. The otic capsule, a cartilaginous structure surrounding the inner ear which develops into part of the sphenoid bone, is shown in blue.

Blood smear from a bird showing the prolific nucleated red blood cells and a variety of white blood cells. The small, compact, purple-stained cells are thrombocytes, the larger pinky purple cells are heterophils. Bird red blood cells differ from mammalian red blood cells by retaining their nuclei. The sample has been stained with haemotoxylin (purple) and eosin (pink).

3D MRI of a six-day-old quail embryo alive inside its egg

The ancient Egyptians believed that some animals were sacred and revered them as earthly representatives of certain gods. Cats, crocodiles, baboons, cows and bulls were all considered sacred. At their death, the animals would have the same burial rites as people and so would be mummified. This mummy is a bird, about the size of a thrush. Some of the beak and wings can be seen through the cloth wrappings.

maker: Unknown maker

Place made: Egypt

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3D MRI of a six-day-old quail embryo alive inside its egg.

Avian blood

Avian blood

Avian blood

3D MRI of a 6-day-old quail egg

3D MRI of a six-day-old quail embryo alive inside its egg.

Microvasculature of the African Grey Parrot

Shah Namah, the Persian Epic of the Kings

Avian blood

Avian blood

Microvasculature of the African Grey Parrot

3D MRI of a six-day-old quail embryo alive inside its egg

Mummified bird, Egypt, 2000-100 BCE

Microvasculature of the African Grey Parrot

Avian blood

Stay in the know

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3D MRI of a six-day-old quail embryo alive inside its egg.

Avian blood

Avian blood

Avian blood

3D MRI of a 6-day-old quail egg

3D MRI of a six-day-old quail embryo alive inside its egg.

Microvasculature of the African Grey Parrot

Shah Namah, the Persian Epic of the Kings

Avian blood

Avian blood

Microvasculature of the African Grey Parrot

3D MRI of a six-day-old quail embryo alive inside its egg

Mummified bird, Egypt, 2000-100 BCE

Microvasculature of the African Grey Parrot

Avian blood

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

Finding us:

Opening times:

Today's opening times

Wellcome collection