The earliest recorded fossil pelican, recovered from the late Eocene of Wadi Al-Hitan, Egypt

Researchers have identified the earliest recorded fossil pelican, Eopelecanus aegyptiacus, from the late Eocene strata of Wadi Al-Hitan, Egypt. This discovery extends the fossil record of pelicans by approximately 6 million years, previously limited to an early Oligocene specimen from France. The study describes a nearly complete right tibiotarsus, which exhibits remarkable similarities to modern Pelecanus species while distinct enough to warrant classification as a new genus and species. The findings were derived from analysis of fossilized remains within the Birket Qarun Formation, contributing significantly to our understanding of avian evolution during the Paleogene period.

El Adli, J. J., Wilson Mantilla, J. A., Antar, M. S. M., & Gingerich, P. D. (2021). The earliest recorded fossil pelican, recovered from the late Eocene of Wadi Al-Hitan, Egypt. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2021.1903910