Unveiling the Secrets of Prehistoric Bird Survival and Extinction

Two recent studies shed light on the significance of molting in determining the fate of prehistoric avian species. One study reports the discovery of preserved feathers in amber from a 99-million-year-old baby bird, suggesting that ancient birds experienced a simultaneous molt. Another study explores molting patterns in modern birds and reveals that sequential molting is more prevalent than simultaneous molting. The scarcity of evidence for molting in fossil birds suggests that prehistoric birds may have molted less frequently or underwent a simultaneous molt not on an annual basis like most modern birds. Understanding molting processes is crucial for comprehending bird evolution and survival after the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs.