Tiny Fossil Sheds Light on Bird Brain Evolution

A newly discovered fossil of the prehistoric bird Navaornis hestiae provides significant insights into the evolution of bird brains. Found in Brazil, this well-preserved fossil dates back 80 million years and reveals a mix of dinosaur-like and modern bird features. The cerebrum, associated with higher cognition, was notably large, suggesting these early birds were quite intelligent. This discovery helps fill gaps in understanding how modern bird brains evolved from their dinosaur ancestors.