Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in northern Alaska, uncovering tiny fossil fragments that reveal ancient birds nested in the Arctic at least 73 million years ago. This finding significantly alters our understanding of avian evolution and survival strategies in extreme climates.
The research, led by Lauren Wilson from Princeton University, analyzed over 50 fossilized bone fragments recovered from thin rock layers in a remote region. These layers are part of the Prince Creek Formation, a site once located on a coastal floodplain near the North Pole.
In the lab, researchers identified bird chicks and embryos with sponge-like texture, indicating they were still undergoing rapid growth. This discovery shows that some birds thrived in the Arctic during the Late Cretaceous period, alongside non-avian dinosaurs like tyrannosaurs and ceratopsians.
The absence of “opposite birds” or enantiornithines, a dominant bird group in other global fossil records, may indicate that modern species had evolutionary advantages to adapt to Arctic conditions. This finding pushes the boundaries of avian evolution, suggesting high-latitude breeding activity long before previously recorded.
These discoveries highlight the importance of birds in Arctic ecosystems today and demonstrate that they have been integral parts of these communities for millions of years. The research sheds new light on the fascinating story of how ancient birds adapted to life in one of Earth’s harshest environments.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/06/scientists-evidence-ancient-birds-nested-arctic