This week I have a fairly straightforward skull that I had to identify recently:
Any idea what species of bird this skull belonged to? As usual, you can put your suggestions below and I’ll do my best to respond. Good luck!
Zygoma
Adventures in natural history collections
Zygoma 
Platypus?
nope. 🙂 I know you think you see teeth, but those aren’t teeth. Look at: https://www.google.nl/search?q=platypus+skull&hl=nl&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=gFTdULCBF-3K0AXoi4DADA&ved=0CDQQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=628
Looking at the size and the way the eye sockets are placed, I think it is a swan. Still have to find out which one
I think it’s a duck and I think the eye colour may be highly relevant to coming up with a species name. I’m probably wrong though
becoming more bonded to that answer the more I think about it…..
I think you are right.
Don’t get *too* bonded to that answer 😉
but a precious metal could be a clue too?
Nope.
D’OH!
It looks right for a duck or a teal of some sort.
is there a famous painting of his mother?
No. Great clue though!
So it’s not a Little Bobby Lisa Duck ?
Nope – well, I don’t think so anyway 😉
The hook at the back makes it look like a dull and slow goose.
but it’s too small.
That’s an interesting feature – very handy for attaching labels to! Spoonbills have these foramina too.
I think I agree with Jake on this one.
Looks like a goose to me, anyway.
It’s not a goose.
A Pochard with a name also associated with a squirrel?
I thought Pochard at first, but the supraorbital process isn’t right
But a member of the Aythyinae?
Nope!
Looks like it may have salt glands, so a sea duck perhaps? Common Scoter?
oooh, that might be it!
A*** ?
Not in the genus Anas
What about a sawbill? mogansa or goosanda?
The bill is a bit wide for one of those
female M******** a********?
Oh, I have just checked my collection and I have used the foramina at the back to attach the label too, I should have followed Jake’s clue up sooner, so it could be S f as the best match for size. My new year’s resolution should be check the bones before resorting to Google.
Right gender, right genus, but I think it’s a different species
can it’s feathers be used to fill duvets?
ie a S. m.