Auspex Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 This doesn't look like much (in truth, it's not, really), but it's a birdy-bit, so I like it. Even though it's small and Plain-Jane, it can comfortably be assigned to the family Picidae (woodpeckers), as their bill morphology is pretty distinctive. If pressed, I'd say that it is most consistent with the extant genus Melanerpes, well represented in Florida's avifauna (then and still). Humble as it is, it is the only woodpecker material in my collection. "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...
Guest Smilodon Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) it can comfortably be assigned to the family Picidae (woodpeckers), as their bill morphology is pretty distinctive. How so, Chas? And you do have that oligocene woodpeckered wood from Egypt(?) Edited February 28, 2010 by Smilodon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 Often described as "chisel-like" (too apropos, no?), they are straight or nearly so, about as wide as they are deep, and taper slowly. Internally, the bone structure is heavily reinforced with densely crossing "struts"; weight reduction here is a secondary design requirement. And yes, I do have the "woodpecker ichnofossil". (How many people get to write that?!) "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...
Plantguy Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Auspex, very neat addition. Woodpecker ichnofossil...how crazy rare is that got to be? From Egypt? I can see your passion in birding/past and recent. I am fascinated by them a bit, especially some of the raptors. We get to see lots of hawks, osprey and even a bald eagle once in awhile. We are especially blessed here in Florida with a wide variety of birds that migrate/frequent the area. That black beak sort of reminds me of a little Kingfisher who has frequented the pond across the street for the past several years! Should be interesting to see if he/she returns this season. I dont know if that particular bird migrates, but I understand as you probably know that some of that species do so at night!! What an adaptation! Regards, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Dactyll Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Auspex..... Very nice addition to your 'specialist' collection....I'd really like to see the wood to if thats possible.... Cheers Steve... And Welcome if your a New Member... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 Auspex..... Very nice addition to your 'specialist' collection....I'd really like to see the wood to if thats possible.... Here's a link to the original post: My link "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...
Terry Dactyll Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Auspex.... I like it.... Ive spent a 'bit' of time outdors and seen many animals out and about there daily activities including woodpeckers... I can just imagine a woodpecker working up that crack in the log or bark seeing what it could flush out for an easy meal.... the regularity of the spacing of the holes tells a story to..... something has developed the process of working the trunk possibly using success and failure as a learning tool... theres nothing random about it .... Cheers Steve... And Welcome if your a New Member... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenixflood Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Nice addition Auspex when you see this piece you probably can hear the sound of woodpeckers tapping into a tree. At least that is what gets conjured up in my mind when I look at it. The soul of a Fossil Hunter is one that is seeking, always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted March 1, 2010 Author Share Posted March 1, 2010 Auspex when you see this piece you probably can hear the sound of woodpeckers tapping into a tree... It helps to drown-out the voices.... "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...
va paleo Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 woodpeckers are neet they are one of my fav birds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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