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List of fossil bird genera

Birds evolved from certain feathered theropod dinosaurs, and there is no real dividing line between birds and non-avian dinosaurs except that some of the former survived the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event while the latter did not. For the purposes of this article, a 'bird' is considered to be any member of the clade Avialae. Some dinosaur groups which may or may not be true birds are listed below under Proto-birds.

This page contains a listing of prehistoric bird taxa only known from completely fossilized specimens. These extinctions took place before the Late Quaternary and thus took place in the absence of significant human interference. While the earliest hominids had been eating birds and especially their eggs, human population and technology was simply insufficient to seriously affect healthy bird populations until the Upper Paleolithic Revolution. Rather, reasons for the extinctions listed here are stochastic abiotic events such as bolide impacts, climate changes due to orbital shifts, mass volcanic eruptions etc. Alternatively, species may have gone extinct due to evolutionary displacement by successor or competitor taxa Ã¢Â€Â“ it is notable that an extremely large number of seabirds have gone extinct during the mid-Tertiary; this seems at least partly due to competition by the contemporary radiation of marine mammals.

The relationships of these taxa are often hard to determine, as many are known only from very fragmentary remains and due to the complete fossilization precluding analysis of information from DNA, RNA or protein sequencing. The taxa listed in this article should be classified with the "Fossil".

Before the late 19th century, when minerals were still considered one of the kingdoms of binomial nomenclature, fossils were often treated according to a parallel taxonomy. Rather than assigning them to animal or plant genera, they were treated as mineral genera and given binomial names typically using Osteornis ("bone-bird") or Ornitholithus ("bird fossil") as "genus". The latter name, however, is still in use for an oogenus of fossil bird eggs. Also, other animals (in particular pterosaurs) were placed in these "genera". In sources pre-dating the Linnean system, the above terms are also seen in the more extensive descriptions used to name taxa back then.

Taxonomic list of fossil prehistoric birds

Higher-level taxa are presented in likely or suspected phylogenetic order. Genus-level taxa and lower are sorted chronologically, in ascending order (i.e., older taxa first).

The higher-level groups of non-Neornithes are arranged based on the phylogeny proposed by Luis Chiappe, updated and expanded to incorporate recent research. The categories are inclusive in ascending order.

Taxonomic assignments, especially in the pygostylian to early neornithine genera, are still very provisional and subject to quite frequent change.

Basal Avialae (extinct)

The most primitive "birds", usually still possessing a long bony tail with generally unfused vertebrae. Not all of these may be on the line of bird ancestors; whether they are not closer to other theropods groups than to the Avialae remains to be thoroughly tested (see Xiaotingia).

Basal Pygostylia (extinct)

The earliest birds with a modern pygostyle: a reduction and fusion of the tail vertebrae; possibly a paraphyletic group. Two types of pygostyle are known, a rod-shaped one found in Confuciusornithidae, Enantiornithes and some non-avian theropods such as Nomingia, and a plowshare-shaped one, only known in the lineage leading to modern birds. It is not certain that the pygostyles found in birds are indeed synapomorphies.

Enantiornithes (extinct)

The taxonomic list of enantiornithine groups presented here follows a summary published by Thomas R. Holz Jr. in 2011.

Enantiornithes

Note that Holtz (2011) also included Zhyraornis in his classification of euenantiornithines, though this genus is more often classified as an ornithuran. Holtz also placed Liaoningornis as an ornithuromorph, though more recent studies have placed it as a close relative of Eoalulavis.

Basal Euornithes (extinct)

Also called "basal Ornithuromorpha". Essentially modern birds, except many still possess a few primitive features such as teeth or wing claws. These have the plowshare-shaped pygostyle and proper tail fan as seen in most living birds. The taxonomy of this group is confusing; the name "Ornithurae" was first proposed by Ernst Haeckel in 1866 and has been revised in meaning several times since.

The following is a list of primitive euornithian genera and those that cannot be confidently referred to any subgroups, following Holtz (2011).

Note that Holtz also included the genera Eurolimnornis, Holbotia, Palaeocursornis and Piksi as euornitheans, though they have since been re-identified as pterosaurs.

Basal Ornithurae (extinct)

Neornithes

The subclass that contains all modern birds.

Unresolved and basal forms<br /> These modern birds are known from remains that cannot be placed in relation to any one modern group and are neither autapomorphic enough to assign them to own orders. Especially the Late Cretaceous/early Paleogene taxa are probably basal to several modern orders, while later Paleogene taxa often represent extinct lineages outside the modern families.

Struthioniformes

Ostrich and related ratites.

Casuariiformes

Cassowaries, emus and related ratites.

Rheiformes

Rheas and related ratites.

Dinornithiformes

Moas.

Two unnamed Saint Bathans Fauna species.

Apterygiformes

Lithornithiformes

Tinamiformes

Vegaviiformes

Anseriformes

The group that includes modern ducks and geese.

Galliformes

The group that includes domestic chickens and their relatives.

Charadriiformes

Gulls, auks, shorebirds

  • Basal and unresolved taxa
  • Charadriiformes gen. et sp. indet. (Late Cretaceous)&nbsp;– burhinid? basal?
  • "Morsoravis" (Late Paleocene/Early Eocene)&nbsp;– a nomen nudum?
  • Jiliniornis (middle Eocene)&nbsp;– charadriid?
  • Boutersema (Early Oligocene)&nbsp;– glareolid?
  • Turnipax (Early Oligocene)&nbsp;– turnicid?
  • Elorius (Early Miocene)
  • "Larus desnoyersii (Early Miocene of SE France)&nbsp;– larid? stercorarid?
  • "Larus pristinus (John Day Early Miocene of Willow Creek, US)&nbsp;– larid?
  • Charadriiformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– several species, 1 probably larid
  • Charadriiformes gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene)
  • "Totanus" teruelensis (Late Miocene of Los Mansuetos, Spain)&nbsp;– scolopacid? larid?
  • "Actitis" balcanica (Late Pliocene of Varshets, Bulgaria)&nbsp;– scolopacid? charadriid?
  • Scolopacidae&nbsp;– waders and snipes
  • Paractitis (Early Oligocene)
  • Mirolia (Middle Miocene)
  • Placement unresolved
  • Scolopacidae gen. et sp. indet. (Middle&nbsp;– Late Miocene)
  • Scolopacidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Pliocene)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Limosa (Late Eocene?&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Tringa (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene?&nbsp;– Recent)&nbsp;– includes Totanus
  • Gallinago (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Scolopax (Early/Middle Pliocene?&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Phalaropus (Middle Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Actitis (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Numenius (Late Pleistocene&nbsp;– Recent)&nbsp;– includes Palnumenius
  • Jacanidae&nbsp;– jacanas
  • Nupharanassa (Early Oligocene)
  • Janipes
  • Prehistoric species of extant genera
  • Jacana farrandi
  • Laridae&nbsp;– gulls
  • Laridae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Oligocene)
  • Laricola (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene)&nbsp;– larid? Formerly "Larus" elegans and "L." totanoides
  • Gaviota (Middle/Late Miocene)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Larus (Middle Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Alcidae&nbsp;– auks
  • Hydrotherikornis (Late Eocene)
  • Pseudocepphus (Middle&nbsp;– Late Miocene)
  • Petralca (Early&nbsp;–? Late Oligocene)
  • Miocepphus (Middle Miocene)
  • Alcodes (Late Miocene)
  • Praemancalla (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Early Pliocene)
  • Mancalla (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Early Pleistocene)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Cepphus (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Cerorhinca (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Uria (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Aethia (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Alca (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Synthliboramphus (Late Miocene/Early Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Fratercula (Early Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Pinguinus (Early Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Brachyramphus (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Ptychoramphus (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Stercorariidae&nbsp;– skuas and jaegers
  • Prehistoric species of extant genera
  • Stercorarius sp. (Middle Miocene)
  • Stercorarius shufeldti (Fossil Lake Middle Pleistocene of WC US)
  • Prehistoric subspecies of extant species
  • Stercorarius pomarinus philippi
  • Glareolidae&nbsp;– pratincoles
  • Paractiornis (Agate Fossil Beds Early Miocene of Sioux County, US)
  • Mioglareola (Early Miocene of Czech Republic) - formerly "Larus" dolnicensis
  • Prehistoric species of extant genera
  • Glareola neogena
  • Burhinidae&nbsp;– thick-knees
  • Prehistoric species of extant genera
  • Burhinus lucorum (Early Miocene)
  • Burhinus aquilonaris
  • Burhinus sp. (Cuba, West Indies)
  • Burhinus sp. (Late Pleistocene of Las Higueruelas, Spain)
  • Prehistoric subspecies of extant species
  • Burhinus bistriatus nanus (Bahamas, West Indies)
  • Charadriidae&nbsp;– plovers
  • Limicolavis (John Day Early Miocene of Malheur County, US)
  • Viator (Late Pleistocene of Talara, Peru)&nbsp;– may be synonym of Vanellus (or Belanopteryx if valid)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Vanellus (Middle/Late Pleistocene&nbsp;– Recent)&nbsp;– includes Belanopteryx
  • Additional prehistoric species of extant genera
  • Oreopholus orcesi
  • Recurvirostridae&nbsp;– avocets
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Himantopus (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Additional prehistoric species of extant genera
  • Recurvirostra sanctaeneboulae

Gastornithiformes (extinct)

The diatrymas, a group of huge flightless Paleogene birds of unclear affinities. Traditionally placed within the Gruiformes, they are usually considered a distinct order nowadays and appear closer to the Anseriformes.

Gruiformes

The group that includes modern rails and cranes. Probably paraphyletic.

Eurypygiformes

Cariamiformes

Otidiformes

Phoenicopteriformes

Podicipediformes

Phaethontiformes

Ciconiiformes

The diverse group that includes storks, herons and New World vultures. Paraphyletic as listed here.

Pelecaniformes

The group that includes modern pelicans and cormorants. As presented here paraphyletic; the tropicbird lineage is not part of this group and relationships with Procellariiformes and Sphenisciformes require more research. Also, as the pelicans are at least as close to the Ciconiiformes as to cormorants, the latter group is being recognized as Phalacrocoraciiformes by some recent authors and the core Pelecaniformes are occasionally merged into the Ciconiiformes.

Procellariiformes

The group that includes modern albatrosses, petrels and storm-petrels.

Gaviiformes

Sphenisciformes

Pterocliformes

Columbiformes

  • Columbidae&nbsp;– doves and pigeons
  • Arenicolumba (Early Miocene)&nbsp;– doubtfully distinct from Patagioenas
  • Rupephaps (Early Miocene)
  • Placement unresolved
  • Columbidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Columba (Early Pliocene – Recent)
  • Patagioenas (Early Pliocene – Recent)

Psittaciformes

Unresolved and basal fossil parrots:

  • Pseudasturidae FU 125 gen. et sp. indet. (Early Eocene)
  • Pseudasturides&nbsp;– formerly Pseudastur
  • Vastanavidae
  • Vastanavis (Early Eocene of Vastan, India)
  • Quercypsittidae
  • Quercypsitta (Late Eocene)
  • Cacatuidae
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Cacatua (Early Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Psittacidae&nbsp;– parrots, parakeets and lories
  • Archaeopsittacus (Late Oligocene/Early Miocene)
  • Xenopsitta (Early Miocene)
  • Psittacidae gen. et spp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– several species
  • Bavaripsitta (Middle Miocene)
  • Psittacidae gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– erroneously placed in Pararallus dispar, includes "Psittacus lartetianus
  • Extant and recently extinct genera present in the fossil record
  • Conuropsis (Early? Miocene&nbsp;– Holocene)
  • Nandayus (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Cyanoliseus (Middle Pleistocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Aratinga (Late Pleistocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Rhynchopsitta (Late Pleistocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Strigopidae&nbsp;– New Zealand parrots, kākāpō
  • Nelepsittacus (Middle Miocene)
  • Heracles (Middle Miocene)

Opisthocomiformes

Hoatzins

Musophagiformes

Cuculiformes

Cuckoos, turacos and allies.

  • Placement unresolved
  • Cuculiformes gen. et sp. indet. (Early Eocene)
  • Cuculidae&nbsp;– cuckoos
  • Eocuculus (Late Eocene)
  • Dynamopterus (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
  • Neococcyx (Early Oligocene)
  • Cursoricoccyx (Early Miocene)
  • Placement unresolved
  • Cuculidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Pliocene)

Accipitriformes

Falconiformes

Steatornithiformes

Podargiformes

Caprimulgiformes

Aegotheliformes

Owlet-nightjars

Apodiformes

Swifts and hummingbirds.

Coliiformes

Mousebirds and relatives

Zealandornithidae

Strigiformes

Owls and barn owls

  • Unresolved and basal forms
  • Berruornis (Late Paleocene)&nbsp;– basal? Sophornithidae?
  • Strigiformes gen. et sp. indet. (Late Paleocene)
  • Palaeoglaux (middle&nbsp;– Late Eocene)&nbsp;– own family Palaeoglaucidae or Strigidae?
  • Palaeobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)&nbsp;– Tytonidae? Sophiornithidae?
  • Palaeotyto (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)&nbsp;– Tytonidae?
  • Strigiformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early Oligocene)
  • Ogygoptyngidae
  • Ogygoptynx (Middle/Late Paleocene)
  • Protostrigidae
  • Eostrix (Early&nbsp;– middle Eocene)
  • Minerva (middle&nbsp;– Late Eocene)&nbsp;– formerly Protostrix, includes "Aquila" ferox, "Aquila" lydekkeri, and "Bubo" leptosteus
  • Oligostrix (middle Oligocene)
  • Sophiornithidae
  • Sophiornis
  • Strigidae&nbsp;– typical owls
  • Mioglaux (Late Oligocene?&nbsp;– Early Miocene)&nbsp;– includes "Bubo" poirreiri
  • Intulula (Early/Middle&nbsp;–? Late Miocene)&nbsp;– includes "Strix/Ninox" brevis
  • Alasio (Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– includes "Strix" collongensis
  • Oraristrix (Late Pleistocene)
  • Miosurnia (Late Miocene)
  • Placement unresolved
  • "Otus" wintershofensis (Early/Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– may be close to extant genus Ninox
  • "Strix" edwardsi (Middle/Late? Miocene)
  • "Asio" pygmaeus (Early Pliocene)
  • Strigidae gen. et sp. indet. UMMP V31030 (Late Pliocene)&nbsp;– Strix/Bubo?
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Strix (Early Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Bubo (Late Miocene?&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Asio (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Athene (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Glaucidium (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Surnia (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Pulsatrix (Late Pleistocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Tytonidae&nbsp;– barn owls
  • Nocturnavis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
  • Selenornis (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene)
  • Necrobyas (Late Eocene/Early Oligocene&nbsp;– Early Miocene)
  • Prosybris (Early Oligocene?&nbsp;– Early Miocene)
  • Placement unresolved
  • Tytonidae gen. et sp. indet. TMT 164 (Middle Miocene)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Tyto (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)

Coraciiformes

Rollers and allies. Probably paraphyletic.

Bucerotiformes

Trogoniformes

Piciformes

  • Placement unresolved
  • Piciformes gen. et sp. indet. IRScNB Av 65 (Early Oligocene)
  • Rupelramphastoides (Early Oligocene)&nbsp;– ramphastid?
  • Piciformes gen. et sp. indet. SMF Av 429 (Late Oligocene)
  • Capitonides (Early&nbsp;– Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– ramphastid? "capitonid" (Lybiidae, Megalaimidae)? own family Capitonididae?
  • Pici gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– "capitonid" (Lybiidae, Megalaimidae?)
  • Miopiconidae
  • Miopico
  • Lybiidae&nbsp;– African barbets
  • Lybiidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene)&nbsp;– extant genus Pogoniulus?
  • Galbulidae
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Galbula hylochoreutes (Middle Miocene of La Venta, Colombia)
  • Picavidae
  • Picavus
  • Picidae&nbsp;– woodpeckers
  • Palaeopicus (Late Oligocene)
  • Palaeonerpes (Early Pliocene)
  • Pliopicus (Early Pliocene)
  • Placement unresolved
  • Picidae gen. et sp. indet. (Middle Miocene)
  • Picidae gen. et sp. indet. (Late Miocene)
  • cf. Colaptes DMNH 1262 (Early Pliocene of Ainsworth, US)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Campephilus (Late Pleistocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Colaptes
  • Dendrocopos
  • Additional prehistoric subspecies of extant species
  • Melanerpes superciliaris ssp. (Little Exuma, Bahamas)
  • Melanerpes superciliaris ssp. (New Providence, Bahamas)

Passeriformes

  • Placement unresolved
  • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early Eocene)&nbsp;– several species, oscine?
  • Resoviaornis (Early Oligocene)
  • Wieslochia (Early Oligocene)
  • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Late Oligocene)&nbsp;– several suboscine and oscine species
  • Certhiops (Early Miocene of Germany)&nbsp;– basal Certhioidea
  • Passeriformes gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– suboscine?
  • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– several species, oscine?
  • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– several species, basal?
  • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– several species, oscine?
  • Passeriformes gen. et spp. indet. (Late Miocene)&nbsp;– Sylvioidea
  • "Palaeostruthus" eurius (Pliocene)
  • Eurylaimidae&nbsp;– broadbills
  • Placement unresolved
  • Eurylaimidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Miocene)
  • Palaeoscinidae
  • Palaeoscinis (Late Miocene)
  • Furnariidae&nbsp;– ovenbirds
  • Pseudoseisuropsis
  • P. nehuen (Early Pleistocene of Argentina)
  • P. cuelloi (Late Pleistocene of Uruguay)
  • P. wintu (Early Pleistocene of Argentina)
  • Prehistoric species of extant genera
  • Pseudoseisura cursor (Ensenada Early/Middle Pleistocene of Anchorena, Argentina)
  • Cinclodes major (Middle Pleistocene of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)
  • Menuridae&nbsp;– lyretails
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Menura (Early Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Meliphagidae&nbsp;– honeyeaters
  • Placement unresolved
  • Meliphagidae gen. et spp. indet. (Middle/Late Miocene&nbsp;– Pliocene of Riversleigh, Australia)&nbsp;– at least 7 spp., some may be from extant genera
  • Orthonychidae&nbsp;– logrunners
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Orthonyx (Middle/Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Oriolidae&nbsp;– Old World orioles
  • Longmornis (Early Miocene of Riversleigh, Australia)
  • Artamidae&nbsp;– woodswallows, butcherbirds, currawongs and Australian magpie
  • Placement unresolved
  • Artamidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Miocene)&nbsp;– cracticine
  • Corvidae&nbsp;– crows, ravens, jays and magpies
  • Miocorvus (Middle Miocene)
  • Miopica (Middle Miocene)
  • Miocitta (Late Miocene)
  • Protocitta (Early Pleistocene)
  • Henocitta (Middle Pleistocene)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Corvus (Late Miocene&nbsp;— Recent)
  • Pica (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Pyrrhocorax
  • Placement unresolved
  • Corvidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early Pliocene)
  • Corvidae gen. et sp. indet. (Early/Middle Pleistocene)&nbsp;– probably belongs in extant genus
  • Laniidae&nbsp;– shrikes
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Lanius (Early Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Regulidae&nbsp;– kinglets
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Regulus (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Hirundinidae&nbsp;– swallows and martins
  • Placement unresolved
  • Hirundinidae gen. et spp. indet. (Early Pliocene of Langebaanweg, South Africa)&nbsp;– 2 species
  • Megaluridae&nbsp;– grass-warblers and allies
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • ?Locustella (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Acrocephalidae&nbsp;– marsh- and tree-warblers
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • ?Acrocephalus (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Muscicapidae&nbsp;– Old World flycatchers and chats
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Luscinia (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Turdidae&nbsp;– thrushes
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • ?Turdus (Middle? Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Alaudidae&nbsp;– larks
  • Eremarida (Late Miocene of Hrabarsko, Bulgaria)
  • Motacillidae&nbsp;– wagtails
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Motacilla
  • Fringillidae&nbsp;– finches
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Loxia (Late Pliocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Additional prehistoric species of extant genera
  • Coccothraustes simeonovi (Late Pliocene of Varshets, Bulgaria)
  • Coccothraustes balcanicus
  • Icteridae&nbsp;– grackles and New World orioles
  • Pandanaris (Pleistocene)
  • Pyelorhamphus (Pleistocene)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Euphagus (Late Pleistocene&nbsp;– Recent)
  • Cardinalidae&nbsp;– cardinals
  • Placement unresolved
  • Passerina sp. (Early Pliocene of Yepómera, Mexico)
  • Emberizidae&nbsp;– buntings and New World sparrows
  • Pampaemberiza (Middle Pleistocene of Necochea, Argentina)
  • Extant genera present in the fossil record
  • Ammodramus (Late Miocene&nbsp;– Recent)&nbsp;– including Palaeostruthus
  • Additional prehistoric species of extant genera
  • Pipilo angelensis (Pleistocene of Rancho La Brea, US)

Avialans incertae sedis

These fossil taxa cannot be assigned to any major group with reasonable certainty. The "proto-birds" above are of some indeterminate basal position in the entire avialan (and paravian) radiation, but known from such diagnostic material that their relationships at the family level are known. In contrast, the taxa here have a hypodigm that is usually just sufficient for giving them a valid scientific name, but not for phylogenetic purposes beyond classing them as pygostylians or more modern birds. Some, however, are known from such fragmentary remains that the possibility that they are non-avian "reptiles" such as dinosaurs cannot be ruled out at present.

  • "Ichthyornis" minusculus Nesov 1990 (Bissekty Late Cretaceous of Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan) – enantiornithine?
  • Qinornis paleocenica Xue 1995 (Early/Middle Paleocene) – enantiornithine? neornithine?

See also

Footnotes

References

  • Chiappe, Luis M. (2001): The rise of birds. In: Briggs, Derek E.G. & Crowther, P.R. (eds.): Palaeobiology II: A Synthesis: 102-106. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
  • Chiappe, Luis M. (2002): Basal bird phylogeny: problems and solutions. In: Chiappe, L.M. and Witmer, L.M. (eds.): Mesozoic Birds: Above the Heads of Dinosaurs: 448-472. University of California Press, Berkeley, US.
  • Electronic Appendix
  • Gauthier, Jacques A. & de Queiroz, Kevin (2001): Feathered dinosaurs, flying dinosaurs, crown dinosaurs, and the name "Aves". In: Gauthier, Jacques & Gall, L.F. (eds.): New Perspectives on the Origin and Early Evolution of Birds: Proceedings of the International Symposium in Honor of John H. Ostrom: 7-41. Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
  • Mortimer, Michael (2004): The Theropod Database: Phylogeny of taxa. Retrieved 2013-MAR-02.
  • Olson, Storrs L. (1985): The fossil record of birds. In: Farner, D.S.; King, J.R. & Parkes, Kenneth C. (eds.): Avian Biology 8: 79-238. Academic Press, New York. Not in copyright; PDF fulltext
  • Sereno, Paul Callistus (2005): TaxonSearch: Stem Archosauria. Version 1.0, November 7, 2005. Retrieved 2007-APR-30.

External links