Fossil of 10 million-year-old bird found in Peru

Source: CCTV.com | 03-01-2009 10:52

Palaeontologists have announced the discovery of a 10 million-year-old fossilized cranium belonging to a giant marine bird.

Palaeontologists found the fossil of the head of a bird that lived 10 million years ago in what is now Peru, from the Pelagormithidae family. (Reuters)

The 40 centimeter-long cranium was found on the southern coast of central Peru, known for yielding fossils of marine life dating as far back as 14 million years.

Palaeontologists say the fossil belongs to a family of large seabirds believed to have gone extinct some three million years ago. They say the birds had wingspans of up to six meters and may have used the toothlike projections on their beaks to prey on slippery fish and squid. The fossil is believed to be the most complete cranium of the species ever found.

Editor:Yang Jie