Acta Zoologica Cracoviensia, 40(2) 1997

Issue:

VOL 40(2) 1997

Keywords:

Taphonomy, bird bones, pellets, Nyctea scandiaca

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Preliminary taphonomic studies on damage to bird bones by Snowy Owls Nyctea scandiaca, with comments on the survival of bones in palaeontological sites

• Zbigniew M. BOCHEŃSKI

Abstract:

    Fragmentation of bird bones and their digestion by Snowy Owls Nyctea scandiaca were studied in a feeding experiment in Zurich Zoo, Switzerland. Victims’ heads were ingested by the owls and remains of their skulls were often found in pellets. Humeri were the best bone for the calculation of the MNI. With the exception of ulnae, only up to 50% of articular parts of long bones were affected by digestion. The problem of bone survivorship (species-specific patterns versus mechanical properties of bones) is discussed. It is postulated that taphonomic analyses of fossil materials should be based on a variety of factors including fragmentation of bones and their survivorship, traces of digestion, representation of species and chemical alteration of bone tissues.