Connecticut - A group of researchers in the United States found a fossil bird. Age at 25 million years.
According to the BBC, Tuesday (07/08/2014), the fossil was declared as the biggest bird in history. Because its wings span only reaches about 6.1 meters to 7.4 meters.
"The fossils that we find it really extraordinary. Both of the aspects of size and in terms of durability," said Daniel Ksepka, Bruce Museum curator of science.
In fact, fossils of these ancient creatures have been unearthed 30 years ago in the state of South Carolina, USA. However, scientists can identify the species. Then, these new findings published in the scientific journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) in the United States.
Based on the research in terms of how to fly, this fossilized bird species included in Pelargonis that looks like a bird Albatross. It is only the occasional bird flapping its wings and rely on air flow to keep it floating. Bird types that only use a little force while airborne.
Giant fly was named Pelargonis sandersi - which touted its size twice that of a bird Albatross.
Currently, the Albatross is the largest bird who likes adventure and still can be encountered in the wild.
While the structure, Pelagornis sandersi like a giant seagull that lives around the sea. He is also a bird that spends most of its time hovering over the ocean, to hunt fish and squid.
The researchers also believe, Pelagornis sandersi also surpassed magnificens Argentavis bird.
Argentavis magnificens or called Condor bird lived about 6 million years ago in South America. Wing span of 5.7 meters to 6.1 meters. Previously, these birds was recorded as the largest bird in the Western Hemisphere.
"In conducting the analysis, the scientists assisted application of computer models that can reconstruct based on the arrangement of bones were found. Result, it was concluded that Pelagornis sandersi can fly at a speed of 10 meters per second.'s Faster than athletes sprinting 100 meters," explained Ksepka .
The scientists said that large birds are on the earth millions of years ago and found many fossils. They are expected to become extinct about three million years ago.
Ksepka and other scientists also do not know the cause of the extinction of the bird.
