Flightless Feathered Rail

Flightless Feathered Rail

This spectacular feathered fossil belongs to a newly discovered extinct species of flightless, rail-like bird in the extinct family (Salmilidae). Most modern rails are weak fliers, preferring to walk or run using their long, strong legs. Interestingly, some living species are flightless during molting season, while others have completely lost the ability to fly.

Rails typically occupy dense forests or wetlands, where reed beds are a favored habitat. The legs and toes of these waders are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces, and some species even walk on the surfaces of lily pads. Several fossils of lily pads (Nelumbo) have been found at Fossil Lake.

Specimen:  undescribed species, family Salmilidae, FMNH PA778

Locality:  Fossil Butte Member of Green River Formation

Credit:  © The Field Museum, GEO86526_1365d, Photographer L. Grande