What is a "crop"?

A crop is a specialized pouch-like structure in a bird's digestive system. It acts as a temporary storage chamber for food, allowing birds to consume a large amount of food quickly and process it gradually. This adaptation enables efficient feeding and digestion, particularly for birds with high energy demands or those that need to gather food in one location and consume it later. The crop plays a crucial role in optimizing a bird's foraging strategies and managing its food intake.