Avolatavis europaea
Avolatavis europaea
Summary
Avolatavis europaea was a small early Eocene arboreal bird belonging to Vastanavidae, a group of unusual zygodactyl or near zygodactyl birds close to the early radiation of parrot and passerine related lineages. Its foot anatomy is the clearest clue to this ecological setting and points to a bird able to grasp branches effectively.
An arboreal lifestyle is therefore well supported, whereas its exact diet is not known. Small fruits, seeds and invertebrates are plausible foods for a bird with this general ecomorphology, but no direct feeding evidence is preserved. The deeper relationships of vastanavids remain less certain than the validity of the species itself.
Quick Identification
Look for: a small, well preserved tarsometatarsus with the distinctive vastanavid arrangement of the toe trochleae. Species level identification depends on detailed foot anatomy and proportions; a generic small bird foot or isolated toe bone is insufficient.
Diagnostic Features
- The tarsometatarsus has the specialised distal morphology associated with vastanavid grasping feet.
- The accessory trochlear structures differ from those of halcyornithids and messelasturids.
- The distal foot is compact and adapted for a strongly grasping toe arrangement.
- The London Clay species is diagnosed by the particular proportions and configuration of its tarsometatarsal trochleae.
- Reliable separation from other parrot like Eocene birds requires direct comparison of the complete distal tarsometatarsus.
Fossil Details
Similar Species
Recorded Fossil Sites
No fossil-site occurrences have yet been recorded for this species.