Tagged as Mature due to necropsy photos! This is an educational post, not for shock value.
Prepped the European Buzzard (Buteo buteo) for necropsy, bone processing and feather plating tonight with a PhD Biology Student.
Trauma to the head, neck and ribcage as expected due to being hit by a car. While working through each organ we found huge hemorrhaging with the lungs, as well as a broken wing (left ulna). We also located the testes above the Kidneys which confirmed it was male :)
Also got to show the fascinating tongue with the longitudinal ridges, and backward facing spines to help push down prey into the throat, the little hole in the tongue where increased airflow is passed through, as well as the hyoid structure!
Since the bird was not taxidermy suitable (legs are being used by someone else for a mount), this bird will be part macerated and part oxidated, and the wings plated and framed.
