A group of researchers in the U.S. found a bird fossil. Its age at 25 million years. As reported by the BBC on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, that the fossil was declared as the biggest bird in history. Because its wings span reaches about 6.1 meters to 7.4 meters (20 to 24 feet).
"The fossils that we find truly remarkable. Neither of these aspects of size and in terms of durability," said Daniel Ksepka, a science curator at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Connecticut.
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| Here, an illustration of what may be the largest flying bird, an extinct beast with a wingspan of 20 to 24 feet (6.1 to 7.3 meters) that flew the skies some 25 million to 28 million years ago. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zA9SSY) |
Actually, fossils of these ancient creatures have been unearthed 30 years ago in South Carolina, USA. However, scientists can identify the species. Then, these new findings published in the PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) scientific journal in the United States.
Based on the research in terms of how to fly, the bird fossil species included in Pelargonis that looks like an royal albatross. The bird only flapping its wings occasional and rely on air flow to keep it flying. This bird types that only use a little force while airborne.
This giant flying creatures was named Pelargonis sandersi - which touted its size twice of royal albatross. Currently, the royal albatross is the largest bird that love adventure and still can be encountered in the wild.
While of its structure, Pelagornis sandersi similar to giant seagulls that live around the sea. It is also a bird that spends most of its time hovering over the ocean, to hunt fish and squid. The researchers also believe, Pelagornis sandersi also surpassed the Argentavis magnificens bird.
Argentavis magnificens or called condor bird, which lived 6 million years ago in South America. It has a wing span of 5.7 meters to 6.1 meters. Previously, these birds was recorded as the largest bird in the Western Hemisphere.
"In conducting the analysis, the scientists assisted application of computer models to reconstruct by the founded bones arrangement. Result, it was concluded that Pelagornis sandersi can fly at a speed of 10 meters per second.'s Faster than athletes sprinting 100 meters," said Ksepka.
The scientists said that large birds on earth millions of years ago and found many fossils. They are expected to become extinct some three million years ago. However Ksepka and other scientists also do not yet know the cause of the extinction of the bird.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC]
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