There is a lot of evidence implicating the thalamus (esp the central thalamus) and likely brain stem structures such as the locus coeruleus. But birds do have something analogous to the c. cortex at the micro level, it just doesnt have 6+lamina. Still, yum!https://twitter.com/SquashedBox/status/1223726232560336898 …
I keep chickens
They certainly behave as if they feel basic emotions eg., fear, excitement, curiosity
It seems contradictory to suggest that they ‘feel’ without consciousness
So I’ve as much evidence to suggest they are conscious as I have with regard to eg., @patchurchland