What is Presbyornis?
Q: What is Presbyornis?
A: Presbyornis is an extinct genus of water bird.
Q: Was Presbyornis initially mistaken for a flamingo?
A: Yes, it was initially mistaken for a flamingo because of its long legs and neck.
Q: What was Presbyornis reclassified as?
A: Presbyornis was reclassified as an anseriform when the duck-like anatomy of its skull and bill was found.
Q: What group of birds is Presbyornis closely related to?
A: Presbyornis is from an extinct group closely related to ducks and geese.
Q: How did Presbyornis filter its food?
A: Presbyornis used its broad, flat bill to filter food (small plants and animals) from the water, in the manner of today's dabbling ducks.
Q: Did Presbyornis live in colonies around shallow lakes?
A: Yes, judging from numerous fossil findings, Presbyornis probably lived in colonies around shallow lakes.
Q: Where can Presbyornis fossils be found?
A: Species of this bird have been found in Maryland, Utah, England, and Mongolia. Fossils are held in the Smithsonian Institution, the Natural History Museum, London, and the KUVP.
