Birds With Predatory Wings Discovered

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KINGSTON, JAMAICA (GaeaTimes.com)- The discovery of an extinct bird in Jamaica that had banana-shaped wings and used it for combat has made sensation among scientists and ornithologists. The bird named as ibisXenicibis xympithecus became extinct roughly 10000 years ago think the scientists. It became extinct most likely owing to the invasion of human civilization in its territory and hunting. The bird was flightless which is a common trait among island birds. However, the chicken sized bird retained the long bones in wings. The scientists unanimously agree that such curved wing bones have not been found in any other avian species so far. While there are instances of some birds using their wings for self defense, only Xenicibis used the winged bone for fighting human style! Dr Nicholas Longrich of Yale University said that no other bird has shown such a type of evolution.

The bird used to inhibit Jamaica only. When the skeleton of the bird was found the scientists were at a loss to understand the utility of the banana shaped wing bone in its body. Xenicibis had bigger breastbone with larger wings compared to other bird species that can not fly. The scientists think that like present generation ibises, these birds were territorial and the fights took place over territory control. They possibly had fights with other birds belonging to the same species over nesting and feeding habits.

It could be possible that these birds used their specialized wings to save their eggs and newborns from predators. The interesting part about the discovery is that both male and female birds used to have the winged bone.