Fossil Reveals Vegavis iaai as Oldest Modern Bird

A recently analyzed fossil skull of Vegavis iaai, discovered on Vega Island near Antarctica, has been identified as the oldest-known modern bird, dating back 69 million years. This bird is an early ancestor of today's waterfowl, like ducks and geese, showcasing features such as a toothless beak and a brain structure similar to modern birds, which suggests advanced visual and motor skills. Vegavis lived in a temperate, forested Antarctica, likely serving as a refuge during the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The fossil sheds light on the evolutionary history of birds, confirming Vegavis' place among modern birds and resolving long-standing debates about its classification. The discovery highlights Antarctica's role as a significant region for the evolution and survival of early birds during the dinosaur era. This research was led by Dr. Christopher Torres and published in the journal Nature.