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Ancient Lithornithids: Flight Origins Reshape Bird Evolution

9/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Lithornithids, ancient paleognath ancestors, may have been capable of flight between 66 and 23 million years ago, helping explain their broad ancient distribution.
A well-preserved fossil of Lithornis promiscuus reveals features for sustained flight.
Post-dinosaur extinction, ground-feeding birds evolved flightlessness to save energy.
Overall, mobile ancestors may have later given rise to flightless descendants, shaping paleognath distribution.

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Story summary

Lithornithids, ancient paleognath ancestors, may have been capable of flight between 66 and 23 million years ago, helping explain their broad ancient distribution.
A well-preserved fossil of Lithornis promiscuus reveals features for sustained flight.
Post-dinosaur extinction, ground-feeding birds evolved flightlessness to save energy.
Overall, mobile ancestors may have later given rise to flightless descendants, shaping paleognath distribution.