Buteo Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Info available, rare paleo bird beak unidentified. Ouled Abdoun Basin, Phosphate Beds,Upper Paleocene, Thanetian stage, (~56 Million Years). Any comments welcome, are there any bird experts also on forum ? Inside the cavity there are also a lot of structures which perhaps eliminates a claw core . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 @Troodon Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM --- APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 @Auspex The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Looks like the distal end of a claw. Could be avian since its hollow. Not familiar with the paleocene fauna of the Basin. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buteo Posted April 13, 2021 Author Share Posted April 13, 2021 Thanks Troodon, Im hopeful Auspex will also comment as well as others. I was wondering would there have to be a nutrient groove to be a claw, and also the delicate structures (partial sinus ?) within cavity make me hopeful it could be a beak. My main interests in life are birds of prey (Red Tail Hawks) so if this was avian it would make my collection. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troodon Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 The blood groove is not present and I had the same concern but Im guessing its species specific. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 I agree wth troodon.. some sort of claw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
val horn Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Not to be disrespectful, but does any one have a picture of an isolated bird beak fossil? Please post it. I was under the impression that like a horn the outer sheath is keratin but unlike a horn the beak core was extremely light with a very minimal outer cortex and a lace of bone trabeculli internally 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buteo Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 Thanks for response. Interesting, are you leaning towards bird then. It is hard to find photos of fossil bird skull / beak to compare . Are there any photos of claws without nutrient grooves and hollow. I read the wonderchicken story from University of Cambridge regarding a complete bird skull fossil , I will see if can grab the photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
val horn Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 No I am not leaning toward bird. The very thinness of the bone cortex in a bird beak makes your fossil appear too thick and solid for bird though my knowledge is very limited, thus the request for pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buteo Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 I hope it is not bad form to post a photo that isnt mine, which it isnt. A great article. Not sure it helps anyone. Noticed the little dimples / pin in beak which mine has as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buteo Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 Perhaps someone has a claw photo that is hollow , without the groove to compare to this. I think it is hard to eliminate a bird option unless there are claws that match the item in question. In any event the knowledge doesnt reside with me and I am happy reading opinions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
val horn Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Almost all of the pictures I post to illustrate a point are from the web or my friend dr google. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buteo Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 Okay good, If you have a chance read the article " wonderchicken" National Geographic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJ Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 1 hour ago, Buteo said: Okay good, If you have a chance read the article " wonderchicken" National Geographic. It's always best to give the proper source for an image. @Buteo @val horn 1 The human mind has the ability to believe anything is true. - JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buteo Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 Good to know thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 This is the distal portion of an avian raptor claw. What there is of it is consistent with that of an eagle. Me likey! 4 "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buteo Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Auspex said: This is the distal portion of an avian raptor claw. What there is of it is consistent with that of an eagle. Me likey! Thank you, I was hoping you would chime in. That would be very satisfying to my interests. I noticed we have similiar interests with birds of prey. I posted a photo on a modern red tail hawk. These specimens in Canada require possession certificates which I have. Eagles would be off limits along with some other species(songbirds and woodpeckers I believe). Notice the size of modern talon, and eye sockets. Wind turbines , vehicle collisons take a toll. Up here a Snow Owl would be the ultimate beauty Imho Edited April 14, 2021 by Buteo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 32 minutes ago, Buteo said: Thank you, I was hoping you would chime in. That would be very satisfying to my interests. I noticed we have similiar interests with birds of prey. I'm strictly 'catch-and-release'. ;^) 1 3 "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buteo Posted April 14, 2021 Author Share Posted April 14, 2021 Wow, that is raw power. I dont think the raptor would catch and release though haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digit Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 6 hours ago, Auspex said: I'm strictly 'catch-and-release'. ;^) YIKES!!! The size of those talons with a human hand in there for scale makes me glad we're not on their list of preferred menu items. Cheers. -Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now