Sternum of Chilean birds: Struthioniformes to Piciformes

Abstract

The sternum is a well developed structure in birds and exhibit a combination of features that varies accordinf to the way of life of every species. This paper describes and analyses the sternum of 25 orders, 47 families, and 112 genera of bird inhabiting Chile. Using measurements and drawings useful characters for the specific or generic identification are shown, this could be useful for material from archaeological or ecological context.