Anatomical studies on sternum of pigeon hawk (Falco columbarius)

The carcass of pigeon hawk was collected and the bones were processed by maceration and dried under room temperature. Sternum, when viewed from above, was comprised of three parts viz. body, sternal crest and rostrum. The body was roughly rectangular in shape. Cranial end of body was narrow as compared to the wide caudal end. The sternum of pigeon hawk was comprised of a moderately developed sternal crest which did not reach to the caudal border. Both the body and craniolateral process displayed pneumatic foramina. Caudal border was relatively wider than cranial border. Lateral border of sternum presented six articular facets. Single pair of foramen oval was located on the dorsal surface just anterior to caudal border. Lateral notches were absent. From this study it could be concluded that the sternum of pigeon hawk did not show much variation from its collaterals like pigeon & kite.