File:FalconiformSkulls2Gronvold.jpg

Skulls of Falconiformes

Fig. 1. Dorsal aspect of skull of Catharistes urubu, showing the absence of orbital
processes to the lachrymals and the imperfect nasal hinge. 
Fig. 2. Dorsal aspect of skull  of Serpentarius serjyentarius, showing  the  large
orbital processes of the lachrymals and their relation to the frontals. 
Fig. 3. Dorsal aspect of the skull of Buteo jalcal, showing the large, outstanding
orbital processes and the superciliary plate. 
Fig. 4. Dorsal aspect of the skull of Falco minor, showing the large outstanding
orbital processes of the lachrymal and the absence of a superciliary plate. 
Fig. 5. Dorsal aspect of the skull of Pandion haliaetus, showing the absence of
orbital processes to the lachrymal. Compare this fig. with the skull of
Catharistes, fig. 1, and note that in Pandion the lachrymal appears on the
surface of the skull.
Fig. 6. Dorsal aspect of the-skull of Microhierax, to show the nasal hinge. 
Fig. 7. Lateral aspect of the skull of Microhierax fringillarius, to show the nasal
hinge. 
Fig. 8. Lateral aspect of the skull of Falco minor, to show the relation of the
lachrymal   to   the   antorbital   plate   (prefrontal)   and   the shape  of   the
nostril. 
Fig. 9. Lateral aspect of the lachrymo-nasal region of Pandion haliaetus, to show
the fusion of the lachrymal with the antorbital plate.
Fig. 10. Lateral aspect of the lachrymo-nasal region of Serpentarhts serpentarius, 
to show the relation of the lachrymal to the antorbital plate, and the great size 
of the antrum of Highmore.

a.p. = antorbital plate.
l. = lachrymal. 
n.h. = nasal hinge.
s. = superciliary plate. 
or.l. = orbital process of lachrymal.