Morphometric analysis of the kingfisher cranium (AVES)

Abstract

This study demonstrates that both size and shape are important components of the morphological differentiation of the skull of subfamilies of kingfishers. Our findings are in partial agreement with those of previous taxonomic studies on kingfishers. Alcedinids and Halcyon spp. have a very similar braincase. The similarity among crania of the Cerylidae and Alcedinidae are largely related to the shape of the bill and the morphology of the musculature, which are in turn related to similarities in feeding habits. Halcyon amauroptera has a highly divergent bill and cranial shape compared to species of the genus Halcyon.