We found this skull on a beach in southwestern Sweden, and are curious as to what kind of animal it was.
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It's definitely a bird pelvis (synsacrum). Based on the size (~30 cm), it came from a very large bird. Unfortunately, comparative images of bird pelves are rare on the internet. Some possibilities (large birds of Sweden possibly found on the coast):
- Great northern loon
- Golden eagle
- Common crane
A loon skeleton (from http://paolov.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/friday-mystery-object-107/) shown below.
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3$\begingroup$ kmm FTW good job $\endgroup$– user1357Jul 31, 2014 at 3:37
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1$\begingroup$ Thanks for your prompt response - you must be right. We have looked at some alternatives - a cormorant, perhaps, or a goose? $\endgroup$ Jul 31, 2014 at 10:17
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$\begingroup$ The top of the synsacrum in the loon isn't flat enough to be a good match. I know that loons have strange pelves, so that was my best guess. Whatever it is, it was a very large bird. $\endgroup$– kmmJul 31, 2014 at 14:34
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$\begingroup$ Crane looks like a decent match, see link, in geese and gulls it is mush shorter and squarer, researchgate.net/figure/… $\endgroup$– JohnApr 25, 2018 at 1:54