Morphology of the shoulder musculature of the American kestrel, Falco sparverius (Aves), with implications for gliding flight

摘要: The shoulder morphology of the American kestrel,Falco sparverius, was dissected with an emphasis on morphological requirements for gliding flight. Kestrels are being used as a model study flight in non-specialized bird. kestrel forelimb is relatively generalized its construction, and does not appear to have any remarkable specializations gliding. However, several structures found specialized gliders/soarers which may contribute were also kestrels; these include presence scapular anchor pectoral muscle fibers inserting onto tendon biceps brachii muscle. This paper prelude experimental this species serve basis future functional or taxonomic comparisons.