Unique skull found by river, Anybody recognize?

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SUMMARY

A unique skull discovered near the Connecticut River in western Massachusetts has sparked a discussion regarding its identification. Participants suggest it may belong to a bird, potentially resembling a loon, but note the unusually large sagittal crest and small upper jaw, which complicates identification. Comparisons are made with opossum and fisher skulls, but the narrowing above the eye socket suggests a marine bird. Further investigation through resources like Skullsite.com is recommended for accurate identification.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of avian anatomy, particularly skull structure
  • Familiarity with the characteristics of bird species such as loons, opossums, and fishers
  • Knowledge of sagittal crest significance in mammals and birds
  • Experience with online resources for skull identification, such as Skullsite.com
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the anatomical features of loon skulls and their variations
  • Investigate the skull characteristics of marine birds with salt glands
  • Explore the differences between mammalian and avian sagittal crests
  • Utilize Skullsite.com to compare additional bird species with bony crests
USEFUL FOR

Bird enthusiasts, wildlife biologists, and anyone interested in osteology or skull identification will benefit from this discussion.

BodhiCat
Unique skull found by river, Anybody recognize??

I live in western Ma and found this by the Connecticut river one day...I was wondering if anybody could tell me what it might be from
IMG_3633.jpg
 
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your links are broken
 


I fixed it. I have other pictures too if they may be helpful
 


other pictures would be helpful, particularly from other angles. it is difficult to determine if it is a skull or another piece of bone from this image.

most skulls have opening other then the eye socket, and I don't immediately see that here.
 
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No idea! The large saggital crest suggests a critter with strong jaws.
 


the upper jaw seems too small for a strong bite though.

Any qualms if I share these with someone who is more likely to have specimens to compare with?
 


I think it's a bird, looks a lot like loon skull (without a beak). But that sagittal crest is HUGE. Loons are among the few birds that have sagittal crests, but that seems too much even for them.
 


Both the Opossum and the Fisher have large sagittal crest, much like the photo.
 
  • #10


I don't know what an opossum skull looks like, but a fisher skull is rather short an very powerful with sturdy jaws and lots of teeth. This skull looks like it could belong to a bird with attached (non-integral) beaks. Still at a loss though.
 
  • #11


hypatia said:
Both the Opossum and the Fisher have large sagittal crest, much like the photo.

Wrong muzzle shape for both the opossum and the fisher, though. The narrowing above the eye socket (clearly seen in IMG_3634.jpg) would be consistent with having salt glands, indicating a marine bird.
 
  • #12


I am not aware of any mammals that have a pronounced crest like that. In mammals, a large sagittal crest is a sign of large chewing muscles, yet what looks like the upper jaw seems to small for that.

A hornbill has a large crest, but it is rather thick and heavy vs. the thin one here, and it is in front of the eyes, vs. behind.

[PLAIN]http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/8532/rhinoplaxvigils.jpg

A cassowary is another bird with a crest, but it too begins in front of the eyes and is a thick heavy crest.

[PLAIN]http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6414/casuariscasuariss.jpg

Neither one of them is good match for this skull in my opinion.
 
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  • #13
found this, but not educated enough to make use of it

http://www.skullsite.com/index.htm
 
  • #14


After going through this site,
Code: 
[PLAIN]http://www.skullsite.com/
,[/PLAIN] there are a few bird species that do have any sort of bony crest, but none seem to be a match to this skull.

edit: Proton Soup, your post wasn't there when I replied, but seems we're thinking somewhat the same.
 
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