The fossil record has been used to support the origin and radiation of modern birds
(Neornithes) in Laurasia after the Cretaceous–Tertiary mass extinction event, whereas�…

Many palaeobiological analyses have concluded that modern birds (Neornithes) radiated no
earlier than the Maastrichtian, whereas molecular clock studies have argued for a much�…

Modern birds (Neornithes) are represented by two big lineages, the Palaeognathae
(Tinamiformes+ Ratitae) and the Neognathae [Galloanserae+ Neoaves (Metaves+�…

The Mesozoic fossil record has proved critical for understanding the early evolution and
subsequent radiation of birds. Little is known, however, about its relative completeness: just�…

The extinct dromornithids, gastornithids and phorusrhacids are among the most spectacular
birds to have ever lived, with some giants exceeding 500 kg. The affinities and evolution of�…

Numerical cladistic analysis of 73 cranial and postcranial characters has resulted in a highly
corroborated hypothesis describing the phylogenetic pattern of early avian evolution. Using�…

Polarornis gregorii, a new fossil loon from the Late Cretaceous Lopez de Bertodano Forma
tion of Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula, offers critical insight into the early radiation of�…

The pattern, timing and extent of the evolutionary radiation of anatomically modern birds
(Neornithes) remains contentious: dramatically different timescales for this major event in�…

Knowledge of the evolutionary history of birds has much improved in recent decades.
Fossils from critical time periods are being described at unprecedented rates and modern�…

The Paleogene (Paleocene–Oligocene) fossil record of birds in Europe is reviewed and
recent and fossil taxa are placed into a phylogenetic framework, based on published�…