A Brazilian Fossil Illustrates the Development of Birds' Brains
Only mammals can match the intelligence and behavioral complexity of today's birds' brains. However, how avian brains have evolved from their dinosaur origins over millions of years is still a mystery to biologists. A fossil found in Brazil is now contributing to the expansion of that knowledge. Scientists discovered the fossilized bones of a previously unknown bird species' skull or head bone. Navaornis hestiae is the name given to it. Because of the fossil's exceptional condition, researchers were able to reconstruct its brain and inner ear...