A recently discovered fossil is giving scientists some insight into the origins of hummingbirds and swifts. The tiny fossil was discovered in Wyoming, and may be an early ancestor of the tiny, modern day birds.
The fossil itself has fairly well-preserved feathers and a nearly complete skeleton. Scientists estimate that the bird would have weighed less than an ounce, and could fit in the palm of your hand. The new species is being called the Eocypselus rowei, and researchers are noting its similarities to modern birds.
Interestingly, the fossilized bird may be a key to understanding the divide between hummingbirds and swifts. While the two species are related, their wing shapes are extremely different. Hummingbird wings are short and designed to allow the birds to hover. Swift wings are made for fast travel and have very long wings that allow them to easily glide
Scientists think the Eocypselus rowei might be a precursor to the eventual split between the two species.
"This fossil bird represents the closest we've gotten to the point where swifts and hummingbirds went their separate waves," said lead author Daniel Ksepka in a press release. "[Based on its wing shape] it probably wasn't a hoverer, like a hummingbird, and it probably wasn't as efficient at fast flight as a swift."
While scanning the fossil with electron microscopes, researchers also discovered fossilized carbon residues called melanomes. These cell structures are what give birds their color, allowing scientists to extrapolate that this ancient animal was probably black with a glossy or iridescent sheen, similar to modern swifts.
While scientists are hopeful that this could lead to advances in our knowledge of how hummingbirds and swifts evolved, more research needs to be done before they can draw any significant conclusions.
The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
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