10-million-year fossilized bird found in Peru

Source: Xinhuanet | 03-02-2009 15:27

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhuanet) -- A fossillized bird of 10 million years old was found by paleontologists in Peru's desert coast, according to media reports Monday.

A paleontologist cleans a fossilized bird cranium at Peru's National History Museum in Lima, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009.(AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

Scientists discovered only the head of the rare bird, which had a wing of about six meters, and fed mainly on fish from the Pacific Ocean in Ocucaje of Peru.

It first appeared 50 million years ago and died out 2.5 million years ago for change of climate, said paleontologist Mario Urbina of Peru's Natural History Museum.

The fossil is 39.9 centimeters long and was displayed on Saturday at the museum.

"The cranium of the bird, from the Pelagornithidae family, is the most complete find of its kind in the world. Its fossil remains are hard to find," Urbina said.

Old ocean seabeds in Ocucaje have been a treasure for fossil hunters.