Pengana
Encyclopedia
The Flexiraptor is an extinct species of bird of prey
– the only one of its genus known to date – probably related to harrier
s. It probably resembled a cross between the Secretary Bird
and Crested Caracara
, and lived during the Early Miocene
(23–16 million years ago).
Its remains were found in Riversleigh
(Queensland
), Australia
. The Flexiraptor is only known from a tibiotarsus
(ankle bone). However, this is of most peculiar construction, allowing the leg to be swiveled backwards and sideways. The bird was thus well adapted to reaching into holes and crevices and extracting prey. The vernacular name "Flexiraptor" was coined to reflect this ability.
Accipitridae
The Accipitridae, one of the two major families within the order Accipitriformes , are a family of small to large birds with strongly hooked bills and variable morphology based on diet. They feed on a range of prey items from insects to medium-sized mammals, with a number feeding on carrion and a...
– the only one of its genus known to date – probably related to harrier
Harrier (bird)
A harrier is any of the several species of diurnal hawks forming the Circinae sub-family of the Accipitridae family of birds of prey. Harriers characteristically hunt by flying low over open ground, feeding on small mammals, reptiles, or birds....
s. It probably resembled a cross between the Secretary Bird
Secretary Bird
The Secretarybird or Secretary Bird is a large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savannah of the sub-Sahara...
and Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara
The Northern Caracara, or Crested Caracara as it is properly known where it lives in the Americas, is a bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It was formerly considered conspecific with the Southern Caracara and the extinct Guadalupe Caracara as the "Crested Caracara"...
, and lived during the Early Miocene
Miocene
The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about . The Miocene was named by Sir Charles Lyell. Its name comes from the Greek words and and means "less recent" because it has 18% fewer modern sea invertebrates than the Pliocene. The Miocene follows the Oligocene...
(23–16 million years ago).
Its remains were found in Riversleigh
Riversleigh
Riversleigh, in North West Queensland, is Australia's most famous fossil site. The 100 km² area has fossil remains of ancient mammals, birds and reptiles of Oligocene and Miocene age...
(Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
), Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The Flexiraptor is only known from a tibiotarsus
Tibiotarsus
The tibiotarsus is the large bone between the femur and the tarsometatarsus in the leg of a bird. It is the fusion of the proximal part of the tarsus with the tibia.A similar structure also occurred in the Mesozoic Heterodontosauridae...
(ankle bone). However, this is of most peculiar construction, allowing the leg to be swiveled backwards and sideways. The bird was thus well adapted to reaching into holes and crevices and extracting prey. The vernacular name "Flexiraptor" was coined to reflect this ability.