Reviews
8" Rare Fossil Bird (Gallinuloides) - Green River Formation
This is a very rare, bird fossil (Gallinuloides wyomingensis) from the Eocene-aged Green River Formation in Wyoming. It was collected this summer at our Fossil Lake Safari near Kemmerer, Wyoming and is only one of three birds (all partial) found this summer at the quarry.
The entire fossil measures 8" tall but unfortunately like many (maybe even most) bird fossil found in the formation it is missing its head. The preservation is exceptional and it does not have any restoration. The fossil peeled when split , so the peels had to be put back together and prepared with a pin vise as the vibration from mechanical tools would destroy the hollow bones. Total preparation time was over 100 hours, but the results are amazing.
About Gallinuloides
Gallinuloides is an extinct genus of early bird from the Early Eocene epoch, approximately 50 million years ago. Known from fossil remains discovered in the Fossil Butte Member of the Green River Formation in Wyoming, Gallinuloides wyomingensis is considered one of the oldest representatives of the galliform lineage, which includes modern game birds like chickens, quails, and turkeys.
Gallinuloides was a small, ground-dwelling bird, likely adapted for foraging on seeds, insects, and small plants. Its skeletal structure suggests it was capable of short bursts of flight but was primarily terrestrial. The bird's morphology bridges the gap between primitive birds and the more specialized forms of modern galliforms, providing significant insights into the early evolutionary history of this diverse and ecologically important group of birds.
The entire fossil measures 8" tall but unfortunately like many (maybe even most) bird fossil found in the formation it is missing its head. The preservation is exceptional and it does not have any restoration. The fossil peeled when split , so the peels had to be put back together and prepared with a pin vise as the vibration from mechanical tools would destroy the hollow bones. Total preparation time was over 100 hours, but the results are amazing.
About Gallinuloides
Gallinuloides is an extinct genus of early bird from the Early Eocene epoch, approximately 50 million years ago. Known from fossil remains discovered in the Fossil Butte Member of the Green River Formation in Wyoming, Gallinuloides wyomingensis is considered one of the oldest representatives of the galliform lineage, which includes modern game birds like chickens, quails, and turkeys.
Gallinuloides was a small, ground-dwelling bird, likely adapted for foraging on seeds, insects, and small plants. Its skeletal structure suggests it was capable of short bursts of flight but was primarily terrestrial. The bird's morphology bridges the gap between primitive birds and the more specialized forms of modern galliforms, providing significant insights into the early evolutionary history of this diverse and ecologically important group of birds.
About Fossil Lake
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
$19,950
SPECIES
Gallinuloides wyomingensis
LOCATION
Fossil Lake Safari Quarry, Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation
SIZE
Fossil 8" tall, Rock 14 x 10.6"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#311827
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