Pelagornis chilensis

PALEOFAUNA OF VENEZUELA. The Venezuelan #thunderbird. More information: @jp.sitev

Clarifications: The following official information about this species dates from the publications of Ascanio D. Rincon together with Marcelo Stucchi and Andrés Solórzano. years 2002 and 2015. The investigations could be subject to changes. But they are solidly founded by international and national paleontologists.

The Pelagornithids were among the largest flying birds that inhabited the earth. Rivaling in dimensions with the famous #Argentarvis magnificents from #argentina (There is still debate about the real mass and weight of both species). Similar in appearance to modern #albatrosses, they were distinguished from these in the very long dimensions of their wings, which in some species could easily exceed 6 meters in wingspan and in that their beaks were toothed, or rather had protuberances or pseudoteeth that protruded from them. the same.

In the case of #Venezuela, at least 2 species of these giant birds have been found, respectively in the states: #Falcon (Zumbador cave) and #Lara (in Cerro La Cruz). One of these being identified as the species Pelagornis chilensis, originally described by the #Chilean David Rubilar.

They were birds with marine habits similar to modern pelicans and albatrosses, there is still some controversy regarding how with such long wings it could maintain flight, one of the most probable theses being that it made the most of the air currents to remain gliding for long periods. distances. Thesis that is corroborated by its wide geographical distribution during much of the American Miocene.🦅

Original research: First Pelagornithidae record for Venezuela 2002. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Ascanio A. Solorzano 2015. - P. chilensis Gerald Ayr and David Rubilar 2009.

Illustration and writing by Gerardo Guillen Poleo @eldinogerardo

Pelagornis chilensis - File

Pelagornis chilensis and sp - fossil material