Vegavis

Vegavis is a recently discovered genus of extinct birds that lived during the Cretaceous period. It belonged to the order Anseriformes. Among modern birds, Vegavis is most closely related to ducks and geese, but it is not considered to be a direct ancestor of them.

The discovery of the type species, Vegavis iaai, has been hailed as the first proof that relatives of modern birds lived alongside dinosaurs.

The Vegavis fossil was found in Antarctica in 1992, but was only identified as a new species in 2004, following the use of CT scans to gain a clearer picture of the bone structure.

External links

• 'Dinosaurs Mingled with Cousins of Ducks and Chickens', from Live Science