The wrist bone discovered at Boodjamulla National Park belonged to a large relative of the lyrebirds known for their extraordinary vocal abilities
A lyrebird seen in Victoria, Australia. FILE PIC/Wikimedia
Riversleigh, in northwest Queensland, Australia, is one of the world’s premier fossil sites. Its exceptional remains of mammals, birds, and reptiles, 25-15 million years old, help scientists understand Australia’s evolution and its natural history.
In the latest groundbreaking discovery, the fossil of an extinct species of 17-18 million years old ground-dwelling bird with strong ties to Australia’s most iconic species of songbird was discovered. The wrist bone discovered at Boodjamulla National Park belonged to a large relative of the lyrebirds known for their extraordinary vocal abilities.
Previous evidence from Riversleigh has placed lyrebirds in Australia for millions of years, making the newly identified Menura tyawanoides more significant. The Menura fits into a rare category of birds like ostriches and penguins that stay grounded rather than taking off into the skies. Much like lyrebirds, they were able to fly, but only short distances.
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