Comparative anatomy of head and neck in the Spoon‐billed sandpiper, Eurynorhynchus pygmeus and its allies

Head and neck anatomy is described and compared in the Spoon‐billed sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus , the Rufous‐necked stint Calidris ruficollis and the Broad‐billed sandpiper Limicola falcinellus (Calidritinae). Eurynorhynchus pygmeus closely resembles Calidris ruficollis (typical of the subfamil...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Zoology
Main Author: Burton, P. J. K.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 1971
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1971.tb04529.x
https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fj.1469-7998.1971.tb04529.x
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1971.tb04529.x
https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1971.tb04529.x
Description
Summary:Head and neck anatomy is described and compared in the Spoon‐billed sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus , the Rufous‐necked stint Calidris ruficollis and the Broad‐billed sandpiper Limicola falcinellus (Calidritinae). Eurynorhynchus pygmeus closely resembles Calidris ruficollis (typical of the subfamily) in most aspects other than bill form. Information on feeding behaviour is summarized. It is concluded that the expanded bill of Eurynorhynchus pygmeus functions chiefly to increase its capacity for tactile detection of prey. The suggestion of close relationship between Eurynorhynchus pygmeus and Limicola falcinellus is rejected.