Aves 3D

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Sternum (Breast Bone) of the Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula (MCZ 346121)

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Phylogenic Position
Aves - Neognathae - Passeriformes - Icteridae - Quiscalus - Quiscalus quiscula
Species Description
The Common Grackle is a common blackbird found in the open and semi-open areas across North America east of the Rockies. It is an omnivore, eating insects, berries, minnows, frogs, seeds and grain. It has a hard keel on the inside of the upper mandible, which is used to saw open acorns and other hard nuts. The Common Grackle is very gregarious, roosting in large flocks; its penchant for corn and large group size makes it one of the most significant agricultural pests, and the number one threat to corn, today. Not surprisingly, a group of grackles is called a “plague”. Grackles are also known to steal food from other birds, as well as kill and eat smaller birds and nestlings. The Common Grackle, like some other birds, is known to practice “anting”, where ants are rubbed along the feathers during preening. While the exact reason behind this activity is unknown (though ant defensive secretions are thought to help prevent skin parasites), Grackles have been observed to use citrus fruit, chokecherries and marigold blossoms in a similar fashion.
Specimen Information
Species	Quiscalus quiscula (Common Grackle)
Element	Sternum (Breast Bone)
Specimen Number	MCZ 346121
Sex
Location
Geological Age	Recent
Technical Information
Scanner	Roland Picza
Resolution	100 µm
Number of Data Points	45625
Number of Data Polygons	91246
Date Scanned	July 23, 2008
Scan Technician	Michael Krzyzak
Edited By	Megan Cooper
Photographs
View All 1 Images
Download Digital Model	Size
STL File Not Publicly Available	4.6 MB
Other Quiscalus quiscula (Common Grackle) Elements
Specimen	Element
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