Fossil skull of giant, toothed bird found in PeruBy AFPThe well-preserved, 10-million-year fossil cranium of a large, toothed seabird was found in Peru's southern Ica region, a spokesman for Peru's Museum of Natural History said Friday. "The skull of the giant bird with teeth, measuring 40 centimeters (16 inches)" was found a few months ago by paleontologist Mario Urbina in a rock strata, said Rodolfo Salas, adding that it is 10 million years old. The fossil is of the prehistoric seabird Pelagornithidae, which had wing spans of up to six meters (20 feet) and a large bill with tooth-like projections. It lived between the mid-Paleocene and Pliocene periods 60 to three million years ago. Salas said little is known about the bird's anatomy, "but with this cranium we'll be able to broaden our investigation." He said the fossil will be exhibited at the Museum of Natural History for one week.  Most Popular |
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