Skeletons gallery

Flight imposes severe physical constraints on the skeletons of birds. As a result, they are comparatively uniform compared to those of other vertebrate groups. The major differences among birds skeletons are in the proportions and in features related to where the bird lives, what it eats and how it obtains its food.

Flightless Birds

• Ostrich Struthio camelus (side view)
• Southern Cassowary Casuarius casuarius (¾ view)
• Southern Cassowary Casuarius casuarius (sternum)
• Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae (side view)
• Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae (head)
• Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae (pelvis)
• Brown Kiwi Apteryx australis (¾ view)

Waterbirds

• Black Swan Cygnus atratus (flight)
• Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae (side view)
• Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis novaehollandiae (front view)
• Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides (¾ view)
• Fairy Penguin Eudyptula minor (¾ view)
• Darter Anhinga melanogaster (side and ¾ view)
• Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus (dorsal)
• Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus (ventral)
• Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca (¾ view)
• Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus (¾ view)
• Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (side view)

Non-aquatic Birds

• Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax (side view)
• Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax (front view)
• Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis (¾ view)
• Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis (head)
• Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii (front view)
• Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii (side view)
• Eagle Owl Bubo bubo (front view)
• Eagle Owl Bubo bubo (side view)
• New Guinea Hornbill Aceros plicatus (side view)
• Superb Lyrebird Menura novaehollandiae (¾ view)
• Australian Raven Corvus coronoides (¾ view)

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