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3.65" Rare Fossil Roller Bird (Primobucco) - Green River Formation
This is a very rare, bird fossil (Primobucco mcgrewi) 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.
While it is missing it's legs and tail end the preservation is stunning. It was found preserved on a volcanic ash layer in the quarry which is very unusual as this layer has few fossils. It was peeled, 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 almost 120 hours, but the results are amazing. Just check out the skull detail. There is no restoration on this specimen.
About Primobucco
Primobucco is an extinct genus of birds that lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 50 million years ago. These birds are part of the order Coraciiformes, which includes modern kingfishers and rollers, but they also show similarities to puffbirds and jacamars. Fossils of Primobucco have been discovered in the Green River Formation in North America and are notable for their well-preserved skeletal features, which provide valuable insights into early avian evolution.
Primobucco likely had a small, compact body, a strong beak adapted for insectivory, and a lifestyle that combined aspects of perching and foraging. Their fossils suggest they inhabited forested environments near lakes and rivers, where they could hunt for insects and small prey. This bird represents an important link in understanding the diversity and ecological roles of early modern birds in the Paleogene period.
While it is missing it's legs and tail end the preservation is stunning. It was found preserved on a volcanic ash layer in the quarry which is very unusual as this layer has few fossils. It was peeled, 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 almost 120 hours, but the results are amazing. Just check out the skull detail. There is no restoration on this specimen.
About Primobucco
Primobucco is an extinct genus of birds that lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 50 million years ago. These birds are part of the order Coraciiformes, which includes modern kingfishers and rollers, but they also show similarities to puffbirds and jacamars. Fossils of Primobucco have been discovered in the Green River Formation in North America and are notable for their well-preserved skeletal features, which provide valuable insights into early avian evolution.
Primobucco likely had a small, compact body, a strong beak adapted for insectivory, and a lifestyle that combined aspects of perching and foraging. Their fossils suggest they inhabited forested environments near lakes and rivers, where they could hunt for insects and small prey. This bird represents an important link in understanding the diversity and ecological roles of early modern birds in the Paleogene period.
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.
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.
SPECIES
Primobucco mcgrewi
LOCATION
Fossil Lake Safari Quarry, Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation
SIZE
Fossil 3.65" long, Rock 10.6 x 10.1"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#311826
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