Alpkarakush

Alpkarakush is named after a giant bird from the Kyrgyz Epic of Manas that helps heroes in trouble.1

Its fossils were found in the Balabansai Formation, which is about 165 to 161 million years old.3

The first bones were discovered in 2005 and 2006, and more were dug up in later years.1

Alpkarakush had a very strong, bumpy brow over its eye, which may have been used for display.12

Scientists think the larger skeleton was a late teenager, and a smaller one was a baby, suggesting they might have lived together.2

It belongs to a group called metriacanthosaurids, which were large predators with high, arched skulls and slender legs.1

The type specimen includes parts of the skull, backbone, hips, and legs, but no complete skull has been found.12