Paleontologists have found fossilized bones of an ancient ancestor of modern birds in a nature reserve in Central
During an expedition in 2022, researchersfound a pair of legs belonging to a fossil bird. This is the first time that the bones of Dromornis Stirtoni have been placed articulated, as they would have been positioned inside a living organism.
Fossil remains. Images: Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Dromornis Stirton is a fossil species thatis a combination of strange anatomical features. Its huge beak protrudes from a small skull, and all this is located on a body 3 m high and weighing up to 0.5 tons. These animals are close relatives of modern birds such as chickens and ducks.
Due to the fact that most of the finds representa heap of unrelated bones, it was difficult for scientists to restore the real appearance of the animal. The researchers hope new discoveries will fix this. Even a pair of legs is enough to understand how the weight was distributed, but paleontologists hope that other bones are hiding somewhere nearby, which form a complete skeleton.
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