Lithornis nasi

Lithornis nasi

(Harrison, 1984)

Common name Lithornithid bird
Fossil group Birds
Order Lithornithiformes
Family Lithornithidae
Genus Lithornis
Taxonomic status Accepted
Geological age Ypresian

Summary

Lithornis nasi was a volant lithornithid, an early palaeognath with a combination of strong flight ability and relatively long legs. New Walton material has substantially improved understanding of this species and supports keeping it distinct within the London Clay lithornithid assemblage.

It probably spent much of its time walking and foraging on the ground while retaining effective flight. Small invertebrates and other ground foods are plausible, but its exact diet is not directly preserved. Lithornithids are useful reminders that early palaeognaths were not restricted to the flightless body plans familiar among many living members.

Quick Identification

Look for: associated lithornithid skeletal material matching the proportions and detailed joint anatomy of the Walton L. nasi specimens. Isolated long bones should not be assigned only from their general palaeognath appearance.

Diagnostic Features

  • The hindlimb and pectoral skeleton has the characteristic lithornithid combination of a volant palaeognath.
  • The Walton material provides multiple homologous bones for species level proportional comparison.
  • The species is distinct from the larger and historically better known L. vulturinus.
  • The diagnostic combination includes details of the tarsometatarsus and other limb joint surfaces rather than simple overall size.
  • Associated skeletons provide the strongest basis for distinguishing L. nasi from other Lithornis species.

Fossil Details

Preservation
Long bones can be compressed and articular ends lost. Old isolated referrals should be checked against the expanded modern sample.

Similar Species

Recorded Fossil Sites

No fossil-site occurrences have yet been recorded for this species.

Last Reviewed
16 August 2026 Reviewed by Sam Harris