Aegialornis is an extinct genus of apodiform bird from the late Eocene.
Research history[]
Aegialornis was first described in 1891 by English Geologist; Richard Lydekker. Since its 1891 discovery, fossils have been found in France, Germany, and possibly the USA as a specimen has been found in Virginia, but the placement of the specimen in the genus Aegialornis is dubious.
Description[]
Aegialornis was not as adapted to flight as othe members of the Apodiformes. However it did have sickle shaped wings, a trait seen on modern Apodiformes. It had a similar build to modern Swifts but is not believed to be a close relative.
Classification[]
The classification of Aegialornis is controversial. 5 species have been named A. gallicus, A. wetmorei, A. leenhardti, A. broweri, and A. germanicus. However the classification of the later 3 species is disputed with some possibly being juveniles of another species or belong to a different genus.