5-Million-Year-Old Heron Is Relative of Today's Tiger-Herons (IMAGE)

Florida Museum of Natural History

5-Million-Year-Old Heron Is Relative of Today's Tiger-Herons

Caption

Taphophoyx hodgei, a newly described species of extinct heron, is most closely related to today's tiger-herons of Mexico and Central and South America. The heron was described from two interlocking shoulder bones from the same individual: the scapula, top, and coracoid, a bone that is often useful for identifying bird species.

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Florida Museum photo by Kristen Grace

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Please credit Kristen Grace/Florida Museum

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