Dino-Era Bird Nests Found in…Alaska?! Prepare to Be Amazed!

Ancient Avians: Dinosaur-Era Birds Nested in the Arctic 73 Million Years Ago!

The Arctic, a land synonymous with polar bears and icy landscapes, once echoed with the calls of dinosaurs. Now, groundbreaking research reveals that these prehistoric behemoths shared their domain with a vibrant avian community. A remarkable discovery of over 50 bird fossils in Alaska's Prince Creek Formation has rewritten our understanding of bird evolution, pushing back the timeline for polar nesting by a staggering 25 million years!

“The previous oldest evidence for polar nesting is a penguin colony from the Eocene of Antarctica [that lived about 46.5m years ago],” said Lauren Wilson, first author of the work from Princeton University.

Led by researchers from Princeton University and the University of Alaska Museum of the North, this find provides the oldest evidence of birds nesting in polar regions, a revelation published in the prestigious journal Science.

A Critical Role in a Bygone Ecosystem

Today, over 200 bird species call the Arctic home, playing a vital role in the ecosystem through pollination and seed dispersal. This discovery suggests that birds have been integral to Arctic ecosystems for tens of millions of years, a fact underscored by Professor Patrick Druckenmiller, director of the University of Alaska Museum of the North and a co-author of the study.

“These new fossils fill a major gap in our understanding of bird evolution,” said Prof Patrick Druckenmiller

Unearthing the Past: A Meticulous Endeavor

Bird fossils, due to their delicate nature, are rare finds. Prior to this discovery, bird fossils were virtually unknown in Alaska, save for a few footprints. The team's success stemmed from a meticulous excavation process, carefully washing and sieving sandy deposits to isolate even the tiniest fossils – some less than 2mm in size.

“It was literally like panning for gold, except bird bones are our prize,” said Druckemiller.

What the Fossils Reveal

The unearthed fossils included bones from embryos and hatchlings, indicating active nesting behavior. Among the finds:

• At least one species belonging to the extinct Ichthyornithes group, resembling a toothed seagull.
• A member of the Hesperornithes, extinct foot-propelled diving birds with teeth.
• Fossils from toothless birds, potentially resembling modern ducks, representing close relatives of today's avian species (Neornithes).

A Glimpse into a Prehistoric Arctic Summer

The Prince Creek ecosystem, 73 million years ago, experienced prolonged daylight during the summer months, fostering abundant vegetation and food sources. However, winters were harsh, with freezing temperatures and months of continuous darkness.

“While [winters were] not as harsh as today, year-round residents would have to endure freezing temperatures, occasional snowfall, and about four months of continuous winter darkness,” he said.

While it remains unclear if these ancient birds were year-round residents or migratory, the discovery definitively proves that birds were breeding in the Arctic during the age of dinosaurs.

A Monumental Discovery

As Steve Brusatte, a professor of palaeontology and evolution at the University of Edinburgh, aptly stated, these minuscule fossils tell a huge story.

“These fossils show that birds were already integral parts of the these high-latitude communities many tens of millions of years ago, and thus that these communities are a long-term norm of Earth history, not a recent ecological innovation of modern times,” he said.

This extraordinary find reinforces the notion that the Arctic's ecological tapestry is deeply rooted in time, showcasing the resilience and long-standing presence of birds in this challenging environment. It's a humbling reminder that the story of life on Earth is far more complex and fascinating than we ever imagined.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/29/birds-were-nesting-in-the-arctic-during-age-of-dinosaurs-scientists-discover