Superorder Neoaves Phylum Chordata Subclass Modern birds | Infraclass Neognathae Species E. rowei Rank Genus | |
 | ||
Similar Modern birds, Paraprefica, Cypselomorphae, Fluvioviridavis, Ludiortyx | ||
Eocypselus rowei is an extinct bird believed to be ancestral to modern hummingbirds and swifts. It was a small bird, less than 5 in (13 cm) in length, and probably had black feathers. The bird was first described in 2013 and lived approximately 50 million years ago, during the Eocene epoch.
Contents
Discovery and classification
Eocypselus rowei was first described in 2013 by Daniel T. Ksepka, Julia A. Clarke, Sterling J. Nesbitt, Felicia B. Kulp, and Lance Grande in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. The researchers spotted an exceptionally preserved specimen, originally harvested from the Green River Formation of Wyoming, while working at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History. The specimen includes well preserved feathers and a nearly complete skeleton. It contains fossilized melanosomes, pigmentation cell structures. They named the new species in honor of John Rowe, Chairman of the Field Museum's Board of Trustees.The discoverers chose to honor Rowe, whom they considered to be a "fossil geek."
According to its discoverers, E. rowei is a basal form of the order Apodiformes, which traditionally includes hummingbirds, tree swifts, and swifts. However, not all researchers agree that Eocypselus properly belongs to Apodiformes. Further studies are necessary to definitely establish E. rowei's place in evolutionary history. If Ksepka et al.'s classification is correct, then E. rowei would represent good evidence that hummingbird and swift ancestors first evolved their small size, then evolved divergent flying abilities.
Description
Eocypselus rowei shares features in common with both hummingbirds and swifts leading Ksepka to declare "This fossil bird represents the closest we've gotten to the point where swifts and hummingbirds went their separate ways". It was probably not a hoverer, like a hummingbird, but also not a fast flyer like a swift. E. rowei was less than 5 in (13 cm) from head to tail. Its feathers made up more than half the size of its wingspan. The bird was small enough to fit into the palm of a hand and weighed less than 1 ounce (28 g). It probably had black plumage and may have had an iridescent sheen, like modern swifts.
E. rowei lived approximately 50 million years ago, during the Eocene epoch. It was probably an insectivore.