Pelagornis
Pelagornis is a genus of huge fossil birds. One species, P. sandersi, is one of the largest bird ever found.[1] Its wingspan was twice that of the largest Albatross. Its wingspan is estimated as about 6.4 to 7.4 metres.[2] The fossil of this particular species is from the Oligocene stage, about 25 million years ago (mya).
The pelagornithids are an extinct group of birds known for bony tooth-like beak projections, large size, and highly modified wing bones. There are many questions about their ecology. The bird was capable of highly efficient gliding. That suggests it had a long-range marine soaring life-style similar to that of living albatross.[3]
Several later species have been found, and they are not quite so large.[4] The whole group died out about three million years ago.
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Morelle, Rebecca 2014. Fossil of 'largest flying bird' identified. BBC News Science & Environment. [1]
- ↑ compare with Argentavis.
- ↑ Ksepka, Daniel T. 2014. Flight performance of the largest volant bird. PNAS USA prepub. [2] Archived 2014-07-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ BBC News. Ancient American bird was glider. [3]