By Alex Docking

Prehistoric birds discovered in Saskatchewan

Apr 18, 2012 | 4:22 PM

Scientists have discovered the fossils of a new species of prehistoric birds with a Saskatchewan connection.

“They most likely had teeth and probably still had the ability to fly … up until now we weren't certain about the diversity of birds before the extinction 65 million years ago,” said Tim Tokaryk, a curator of palaeontology with the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.

Tokaryk is one of the authors of a paper published in the journal Palaeoworld about the loon-like, toothed, aquatic birds, Brodavis americanus that were uncovered in Saskatchewan's Grasslands National Park.

The birds lived about 65 million years ago in a southwest Saskatchewan environment, which back then was more like south Florida, said Tokaryk.

“Like parts of South East Asia and parts of Florida today … it was a completely different environment then we're used to in Saskatchewan,” Tokaryk said, about the province's appearance during the Cretaceous Period.

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“This ecosystem at that time was a series of rivers and streams that flowed eastwards and these birds probably were very good fishers, their teeth would have been very adaptable to catching fish.”

The bird fossils were located not far from where Saskatchewan's most famous dinosaur — Scottie the T-Rex — was discovered.

Research will continue on the fossils already collected and the researchers will continue the search for more.

“This discovery is yet another example of the great scientific work going on at the RSM,” Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Bill Hutchinson said in a press release.

news@panow.com

by Alex Docking

Prehistoric birds discovered in Saskatchewan

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