Phalanx Proximalis Digiti Majoris: A Manual for the Identification of European Birds

Abstract

The proximal wing phalanx of the major digit, phalanx proximalis digiti majoris, is often an easily recognizable and well preserved bird bone in fossil and archaeological deposits. It can provide valuable information about the relationship between birds and humans because its presence often indicates nonalimentary usage. For example, wing phalanges have been found in human burials, and cut marks preserved on the proximal phalanx indicate the acquisition of feathers by humans. This work contains the first-ever dichotomous photographic key for the identification of the proximal wing phalanx of European birds. The key will facilitate the identification of fossil and zooarchaeological material, and the features described in it can be used in future studies on the phylogeny and ecomorphology of various bird groups.