Oldest known modern bird fossil found in Antarctica

A newly discovered fossil from Antarctica may be the oldest known modern bird. The fossil, dating back 69 million years, belongs to a bird called Vegavis iaai. This finding could give important insights into how birds evolved. The Vegavis fossil includes a nearly complete skull. Researchers believe it shares traits with modern waterfowl like ducks and geese. However, it also has features resembling other birds, such as grebes and loons. This mix makes it an interesting subject for scientists trying to understand bird evolution. The fossil was discovered in 2011 on Vega Island, located at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Before this find, researchers had a partial Vegavis skull that made studying the bird difficult. The new skull provides clearer information, helping to resolve debates among paleontologists about its place in the bird family tree. Scientists note that Antarctica was very different 69 million years ago. It had a cooler climate and was forested, potentially serving as a refuge for birds after the asteroid impact that killed many dinosaurs. This old fossil highlights the importance of Antarctica in understanding the early evolution of modern birds.