Unknown Skeleton, Help Please!

bird synsacrum

 

I assume a gull since its from the beach, but do a google search of known birds from that area and compare with your piece.

 

Would guess it is a sea gull of some type or a sea duck. You could Google sea birds or shore birds of Gibraltar and see what types there are. Google sea gull skeleton/duck skeleton pelvis/synsacrum/sacrum and see what types look the closest. As for exact species, probably not.

 

Looks cool nice find.

 

This is indeed the synsacrum (pelvis) and the tail of a gull. I cannot tell the size from this picture very well, but I assume this was part of a yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) or a lesser black-backed gull (L. fuscus), these are the only common larger gulls around Gibraltar.

 

If you're in the United States, it probably isn't legal for you to keep that. Most bird and all parts thereof are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

 

can't even have a feather from a blue jay when you find one on the ground.

 

Was found in Gibraltar. Not a US species by any means.

Go with whatever Wouter says. #1 avian expert.


Wouter, I also have acquired a deceased Hyacinth Macaw. I want to do a skeletal mount and will pick your brain when the time comes.

 

You're welcome Seawolf, I love hyacinth macaw skeletons! Just last week I worked with one to practise restoration of autopsy damage. I had a headless hyacinth skeleton in which some veterinarian had cut all ribs and shoulder bones.
The first parrot skeleton I built was also a hyacinth macaw and there used to be a revolving picture of it on my website. My cousin gave the website a make-over recently and he removed the hyacinth. I can ask him to put it back on.

 

He probably removed it for a reason. Maybe it was slowing down loading times? I was thinking of macerating parts of the skeleton and using beetles for others. What would you recommend? I will probably attempt a photo step by step post of this as well when the time comes.

 

If you have beetles you can have your skeleton cleaned in a few large parts, while maceration will leave you with 140 bones to put back together. Have you done this before with a bird? The advantage of maceration is that you can take off the nails and beak sheats which you can put back on after degreasing and bleaching, so they won't get damaged during those processes. Maceration and articulation will eventually get you a very clean skeleton with good nails and beak, but it will take more time and effort than using beetles. You can also macerate the head and feet and beetle the rest, but it may be difficult to get the whole skeleton evenly whitened.

Wouter