A key for the identification of domestic bird bones in Europe: preliminary determination

Description:

Distinguishing between wild and domestic bird remains as well as species-specific identification of the latter is of vital importance for the correct analysis of bone remains. This book provides a dichotomous key to the identification of bones of domesticated bird species, distinguishing them from bones of all other wild species nesting, wintering or migrating in Europe. This project consists of two manuals. The first, this volume, is intended as a general identification of taxa that include domestic species (Anseriformes, Galliformes and Columbiformes).

The other volume (Tomek & Bochenski, 2009) includes two parts that allow the identification to species within Galliformes and Columbiformes, respectively. This is the first key allowing for identification of each of the two articular ends of long bones separately. All other keys deal with complete bones, which often makes it difficult to identify a broken bone. All groups containing domesticated species are thoroughly illustrated. Life-size bones of all species are shown in photographs arranged in plates. To facilitate identification work a CD containing all plates is included.