Heath Hen

Extinct since 1932

   Differences in beak shape and size

 

After viewing pictures to a closer scrutiny, it appears there are morphological differences in the structure of Heath Hen's beaks.

Two separte measurements were taken from the Greater Prairie Chickens I have, as well as the personal Heath hen and of the study skin from Virginia Tech. Mainly in part to noticing what looked like a more elongated beak shown by the GPC, in comparison to the stubbier, more rounded beak of the Heath Hen. Also they appear to have a longer upper mandible, giving a greater hooked- beak in appearance.

NOTE: This information's purpose is to illustrate a point in a basic manner. Dozens of additional measurements of the Heath Hen were used in comparison from past literature. In accordance with my Heath Hen being within the median range for said measurements, it is easier from the comparative aspect to simpify with fewer measurements that all fall within typical averages for each species/subspecies.

 Here are the parameters taken for the first measurement:

GPC #1 = 15mm

GPC #2 = 15mm

Heath Hen (Personal) = 13mm

[Heath Hen  #1 (VTMNH) = 12.5mm]

(For comparative reasons, the Lesser Prairie chicken male had a measurement of 12mm)

Parameters for second measurement:

GPC #1 = 23mm

GPC #2 = 23mm

Heath Hen (Personal)  = 21mm 

(For comparative reasons, the Lesser Prairie chicken male had a measurement of 19mm)

The third measurement was taken along the top of the beak (tip-base). In part to illustrate the larger hooked-beak of the GPC.

 

GPC #1 = 20mm

GPC #2 = 20mm

Heath Hen (Personal)  = 16mm 

LPC Male = 16mm

LPC Female = 16mm

LPC Female = 16mm

So the greatest differences of all three measurements is the third. For statistical purposes the Heath Hen is closest to the Lesser prairie chickens, a smaller bird than the GPC or Heath Hen.

Heath Hens (Boston Museum left, Personal right, New York State Museum bottom)

 

Greater Prairie Chickens

Like anything else, overlap in differences are bound to exist. These are merely observations that were noticed on the vast majority of each Heath Hen or GPC examined, later backed up by going through data found in past literature. The data reflects the observation. The bird being smaller in size than the GPC is also an obvious factor. The measurements being closer to the Lesser Prairie Chicken (Smallest of the prairie chickens) are notable as well.