Special Publication #10

David W. Oates, Ed D. Boyd, and Jennifer S. Ramaekers

Morphological features of duck breastbones provide a means for identification to genus, and certain measurements and observations may allow for further identification to the species level. In an attempt to identify duck breastbones, observations were made on over 2,300 specimens, of which 1,350 were actually measured and morphological characteristics tables created (Appendix). To assist field and museum personnel, a dichotomus key, along with an identification table, were prepared (Figure 11).