Eocoracias

Eocoracias is an extinct genus of bird related to modern rollers and other Coraciiformes such as kingfishers, bee-eaters, motmots, and todies. It contains one species, Eocoracias brachyptera, and it lived approximately 47 million years ago (Lutetian stage) based on dating of the fossil site.^[1] It is known for a specimen having preserved non-iridescent structural coloration on its feathers, previously unknown in fossil birds.^[2] Fossils have been found at the Messel Pit in Germany.^[3]

Life restoration with inferred coloration

Eocoracias Temporal range: Eocene, 47 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Fossil specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Coraciiformes
Family:	†Eocoraciidae Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré, 2000
Genus:	†Eocoracias Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré, 2000
Species:	†E. brachyptera
Binomial name
†Eocoracias brachyptera Mayr & Mourer-Chauviré, 2000

See also

• Dinosaur coloration