Bird Skeleton Identification

Life Science - Middle School

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Bird Bone Identification/Sorting Chart Skull Mandible (Jaw) Scapula Front Limb Pelvis Hind Limb Ribs Vertebrae Owls generally swallow their prey whole. They digest all the fleshy parts of the prey but are unable to digest the feathers, fur, claws and bones. After each night’s feeding the owl regurgitates the indigestible body parts of the prey in the form of a pellet. By examining the remains within a pellet, you can determine the diet of owls as well as the diversity of available prey in an area. Use the identification chart below to identify the remains of a bird that may be found within an owl pellet. Look at the shape and size of the skull, limbs, pelvis and other body parts that you may find to identify the prey animal. A bird skull is easy to identify by its beak and lack of any teeth or tooth sockets. feather sternum mandible skull beak scapula wing ribs pelvis vertebrae hind limb Carefully pull an owl pellet apart to examine the animal remains inside. Bird photo courtesy of USFWS. Bird Skeleton Identification www.newpathlearning.com © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4620
Bird Bone Identification/Sorting Chart Owls generally swallow their prey whole. They _____________all the fleshy parts of the prey but are unable to digest the _____________, fur, claws and bones. After each night’s feeding the owl _____________ the _____________ body parts of the prey in the form of a _____________. By examining the remains within a _____________, you can determine the ___________ of owls as well as the diversity of available ___________ in an area. Use the identification chart below to identify the remains of a bird. Look at the shape and size of the skull, limbs, pelvis and other body parts. A bird skull is easy to identify by its _____________ and lack of _____________ or _____________ sockets. feather sternum mandible skull scapula wing ribs pelvis Carefully pull an owl pellet apart to examine the animal remains inside. Bird Skeleton Identification www.newpathlearning.com © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4620 Bird photo courtesy of USFWS. \|xiBAHBDy01741nzW