Welcome to the Street Prophets Coffee Hour cleverly hidden at the intersection of religion and politics. This is an open thread where we can share our thoughts and comments about the day. One of the displays at the La Brea Tar Pits Museum in Los Angeles looks at ancient birds.
According to the Museum display:
“Fossil birds are very rare because their bones are quite fragile and not usually preserved. However, at Rancho La Brea, bird bones were surrounded with a protective coating of liquid asphalt, and therefore were kept in a remarkable state of preservation. As a result, over 100 species of birds have been uncovered. The most common are the birds of prey, totaling nearly 3,000 individuals.”
La Brea Caracara
The La Brea Caracara (Polyborus prelutosus) is remotely related to living falcons and caracaras. Caracaras inhabit prairies and open scrublands. They spend most of their time on the ground.
California Turkey
The California Turkey (Parapavo californicus) nested near the tar pits and as a result many of the fossils are from young animals. The adult California Turkey was similar to the living Ocellated Turkey of Yucatan, Mexico.
Ancestral California Condor
The Ancestral California Condor (Gymnogyps amplus) is the ancestor of the living California Condor. Although the condor is a scavenger, it is more closely related to the stork than to the Old World Vultures.
American Neophron
The American Neophron (Neophrontops americanus) was fairly abundant in the area and bones representing about 2,000 of these birds have been found at Rancho La Brea. This extinct vulture is similar to the living Egyptian Vulture.
Grinnell Eagle
The Grinnell Eagle (Spizaetus grinnelli) was similar to a small Golden Eagle, but with a lighter build and long slender legs.
Merriam’s Giant Condor
The Marriam’s Giant Condor (Teratornis merriami) had a large body and fed on large dead animals.
Fragile Eagle
The Fragile Eagle (Hypomorphnus fragilis) had long legs and a slender build.
Errant Eagle
The Errant Eagle (Neogyps errans) was about the size of the living Golden Eagle.
La Brea Stork
The La Brea Stork is closely related to the living Old World White Stork. It is taller than the White Stork.
Occidental Vulture
The Occidental Vulture (Coragyps occidentalis) is similar to the North American Black Vulture.
Woodward Eagle
The Woodward Eagle (Morphnus woodwardia) is slightly larger than the living Golden Eagle and is the largest eagle found at Rancho La Brea.
Brea Condor
The Brea Condor (Breagyps clarki) was almost as large as the living California Condor.
Open Thread
This is an open thread—all topics are welcome.