The oldest fossil of a "modern bird" yet found, dating from the age of dinosaurs, roughly 67 million years ago—not long before the end-Cretaceous extinction that wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs. The spectacular fossil, affectionately nicknamed the “Wonderchicken,” includes a nearly complete skull hidden inside nondescript pieces of rock. It dates from less than one million years before the asteroid impact that eliminated all large dinosaurs.
Oldest Modern Bird Fossil Ever Found
Asteriornis is an extinct genus of bird from the Late Cretaceous of Belgium, known from a single species, Asteriornis maastrichtensis. It is one of the oldest-known birds belonging to the group Neornithes, which encompasses all modern birds, and is possibly closely related to birds of the extant superorder Galloanserae, such as chickens and ducks.
Asteriornis Key Physical Characteristics
Size: Estimated to weigh around 394 grams (approximately 13.9 ounces).Habitat: Likely lived near coastlines, suggesting a possible shoreline habitat.
Beak: The beak was lightweight and slightly downcurved, lacking specialized connections typical of some modern birds.
Evolutionary Significance
Asteriornis provides insights into the evolution of modern birds. It coexisted with more primitive bird types, indicating that competition was not the primary factor in the extinction of non-neornithean birds during the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event. Its small size, terrestrial lifestyle, and generalist diet may have contributed to its survival and the survival of its descendants.
Relation to Modern Birds
Asteriornis is closely related to the superorder Galloanserae, which includes chickens and ducks. This relationship places it near the last common ancestor of these modern birds, highlighting its importance in understanding avian evolution.
Paleontology Conclusion
The Asteriornis fossil is a crucial piece of evidence in the study of bird evolution, shedding light on the characteristics that allowed some bird lineages to survive the mass extinction that eliminated the non-avian dinosaurs.
Asteriornis Fossil - Skull
Asteriornis Wonderchicken - Fleshed Out
