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Antarcticavis

Say it: an-TARK-ti-kay-vis

Name means: “Antarctic bird”1

Ate: MeatEarly birdsLate Cretaceous

Antarcticavis was an ancient bird that lived in Antarctica during the time of the dinosaurs. It was about the size of a modern duck and probably hunted for food along the shores. This bird is one of the oldest known from the frozen continent.2 1

Lived

72 to 66 million years ago3

Late Cretaceous

Fossils found in

Vega Island, Antarctica3 1

Food

Meat3

When did it live?

Triassic

Jurassic

Cretaceous

252 million years ago20114566, the asteroid

cool stuff

Fun facts

Antarcticavis lived about 72 to 66 million years ago, during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous.3

Its name means 'Antarctic bird' because its fossils were found in Antarctica.1

Scientists are not sure exactly where Antarcticavis fits in the bird family tree. Some think it is close to modern birds, while others place it with water birds like loons and ducks.1

The only known fossil of Antarcticavis is a partial skeleton, including parts of the wings, legs, and backbone.1

Antarcticavis is the oldest bird ever described from Antarctica.2

A 2025 study found that Antarcticavis had bones similar to modern diving birds, like mergansers and gulls, suggesting it was a good swimmer.1

AI-made picture of Antarcticavis — An AI-made picture of how Antarcticavis might have looked, made by a computer from what scientists know. It is a guess: the real animal may have looked different, and nobody knows its true colours.

you asked

Most asked questions about Antarcticavis

?How big was Antarcticavis?

It was about the size of a modern duck.1

?Could Antarcticavis swim?

Yes, it was probably a good swimmer. A 2025 study found that its bones are similar to those of modern diving birds like mergansers and gulls.1

?What did Antarcticavis eat?

Scientists are not sure exactly what it ate, but it probably hunted for food along the shores of Antarctica.1

?Is Antarcticavis a dinosaur?

Yes, Antarcticavis is a dinosaur. All birds are members of the dinosaur group, specifically the theropod dinosaurs.1

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For dino experts

Scientific name: Antarcticavis
Named by: Cordes-Person et al. 20203
Group: Early birds
Family / clade: Ornithuromorpha3
Classification: Theropoda > Avialae3
Age of the rocks: 72 to 66 million years (Maastrichtian)3
Rock formations: Snow Hill Island3
Countries: Antarctica3
Fossil records: 1 in the Paleobiology Database3
Discovery: Antarcticavis was named in 2020 by Amanda Cordes-Person and colleagues. The fossils were found on Vega Island in Antarctica, at a site called Al's Bird Site.3 1
Still debated: Scientists are still debating exactly where Antarcticavis belongs in the bird family tree. It might be a very early relative of modern birds, or it might be part of a group that includes loons and grebes.1

Where the facts come from

Antarcticavis (en.wikipedia.org)
An enigmatic bird from the lower Maastrichtian of Vega Island, Antarctica (ri.conicet.gov.ar)
Antarcticavis in The Paleobiology Database (CC BY 4.0): age, places, rock formations, classification.

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