Birds

Claws

Bird claws are an incredibly rare find in the Peace River due to their small size, and the general fragility of bird fossils. Like all claws (or distal phalanxes) they have an articulation surface at the base, typically it is two concave surfaces where the 2nd phalanx would connect to the claw core itself. They come in a variety of shapes but can be distinguished from other possibilities by the curve of the main section and the additional bump on the inside of the main curve, not seen in alligator or snapping turtle claws that may appear similar.

An example of a fossilized bird claw, possible from the bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus. Notice the articulation surface and the almost crab claw like appendage that juts out near the base. Scale bar is 1cm

Bones

Beaks