Ichthyornis
Ichthyornis was a seabird that lived during the time of dinosaurs. It had a beak like a modern gull but also sharp teeth in its jaws. It flew over the huge inland sea that once covered the middle of North America.13
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Fun facts
Ichthyornis was one of the first prehistoric birds discovered with teeth, and Charles Darwin said it was important for understanding evolution.1
Its backbone bones were shaped like a fish's, which is why it got the name 'fish bird'.1
The beak of Ichthyornis was made of several separate plates, like an albatross's beak, not a single piece like most modern birds.1
Ichthyornis lived between about 93 and 83.5 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous Period.1
Over time, Ichthyornis grew larger: older fossils have a wing bone about 58 mm long, while younger ones have a wing bone about 71.5 mm long.1
Its teeth were curved backward and set in a groove, similar to those of marine reptiles like mosasaurs.1
Ichthyornis is one of the closest extinct relatives of modern birds, helping scientists learn how today's birds evolved.1
Most asked questions about Ichthyornis
?How big was Ichthyornis?
About 24 centimetres (9.4 inches) long, with a skeletal wingspan of around 43 centimetres (17 inches). That is about the size of a pigeon.1
?Did Ichthyornis have teeth?
Yes, it had sharp, backward-curved teeth in the middle part of its jaws. The tips of its jaws had no teeth and were covered by a beak.1
?Could Ichthyornis fly?
Yes, it was a strong flier. Its wings and breastbone looked very modern, similar to birds that fly well today.1
?What did Ichthyornis eat?
It probably ate fish and other small sea animals, like modern gulls and terns. Its teeth helped it grab slippery prey.2
?When did Ichthyornis live?
It lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, from about 93 million to 83.5 million years ago.1
?Where did Ichthyornis live?
It lived along the coasts of the huge inland sea that covered the middle of North America. Its fossils have been found in Kansas, Texas, Alberta, and other places.1
?Is Ichthyornis a dinosaur?
Yes, birds evolved from dinosaurs, so Ichthyornis is a type of dinosaur called an avialan. But it is not a non-avian dinosaur like T. rex.1
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Myth buster
Myth: Ichthyornis is sometimes thought to be a dinosaur like T. rex.
Truth: Ichthyornis is a bird, not a non-avian dinosaur. It belongs to the group Avialae, which includes modern birds and their extinct relatives.1
For dino experts
- Scientific name
- Ichthyornis
- Named by
- Marsh 18723
- Group
- Early birds
- Family / clade
- Ichthyornithes3
- Classification
- Theropoda > Avialae3
- Age of the rocks
- 100 to 72 million years (Cenomanian / Campanian)3
- Rock formations
- Niobrara, Mooreville Chalk, Belle Fourche3
- Countries
- USA, Canada, Uzbekistan, Mexico3
- Fossil records
- 33 in the Paleobiology Database3
- Also known as
- Angelinornis, Colonosaurus, Plegadornis (older names now counted as the same animal)3
- Discovery
- Ichthyornis was named by American paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh in 1872. At first, Marsh thought the toothed jaws belonged to a marine reptile, but later in 1873 he realized they were part of the bird.12
- Still debated
- Scientists still debate whether the species should be called Ichthyornis dispar or Ichthyornis anceps, because of naming rules.1
Where the facts come from
- Ichthyornis (en.wikipedia.org)
- Ichthyornis | Cretaceous period, seabird, toothed beak (britannica.com)
- Ichthyornis in The Paleobiology Database (CC BY 4.0): age, places, rock formations, classification.
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