Auspex Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I've finally identified this fossil: it is most of the elements of the right wing of a member of the (extinct) order Sandcoleiformes. They were similar to the extant Mousebirds of Africa, but less specialized, and have a cladistic affinity to Woodpeckers. Filling the niches of today's passerines, they seem to have been out-competed when the latter evolved, much the way that modern Carnivores replaced the Creodonts. It is interesting to note that the surface of this plate bears the patina of weathering; it lay exposed to the elements for some time, but was found before much degradation of the bones could occur. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharktoothguy11222 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Very cool! The preservation is fantastic! Tha tighin fodham, fodham, fodham! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest N.AL.hunter Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Now that is a nice bird fossil. I think they look better when they are still in the matrix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl O'Cles Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Nice specimen, do you think there might be more bones buried in the matrix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 ...do you think there might be more bones buried in the matrix? Well, I haven't had it X-rayed, but with the Green River shale, 3-D stuff usually telegraphs its topography. The slab is only 3/8" thick, so I'm pretty sure nothing is playing hide & seek. This bird completely disarticulated before being covered (or it could have been uncovered, disturbed, and recovered a time or two within a couple months of death. In any case, the rest is lost. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommabetts Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Nice bird!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleoRon Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Sweet! Pass the dumplings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32fordboy Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 That's a neat fossil! Nick www.nicksfossils.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenixflood Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 :cool: The soul of a Fossil Hunter is one that is seeking, always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micropterus101 Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 It sure feels good to finally figure out what something is. Good Job! fossil crabs website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspex Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 It sure feels good to finally figure out what something is.... Sure does! Since circumstances don't allow me to dig my own, the thrill of discovery comes from research and putting a name to something. This one led me on several rabbit chases over the past year and a half; I could see the affinities to the Piciformes, but I wasn't looking in the "extinct order box". Serendipity played a big roll. "There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant “Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley >Paleontology is an evolving science. >May your wonders never cease! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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