Fortipesavis is an extinct genus of enathiornitheans that lived in Europe during the Late Cretaceous.
History[]
Fortipesavis derives from the Latin "fortipes" meaning "strong-footed" and "avis", meaning "bird". The epithet translates (from Latin) to "grasp" or "grip". The entire means "gripping strong-footed bird".
Description[]
Fortipesavis is known from a foot and a tail encased in Burmese amber, exhibiting strange morphology compared to other Cretaceous enantiornithes and extant birds. YLSNHM01001 shows a mediolaterally robust fourth pedal digit, which is almost twice the size of digit II. This is found in no other Mesozoic or Cenozoic bird, which has justified the erection of a new genus and species to classify YLSNHM01001; Fortipesavis prehendens. However, the syndactyl-like foot conditions are very much like some birds, which is hypothesized to increase the foot area, which may help griping onto a perch via friction. This adaptation may suggest Fortipesavis used mobile perches similarly to the extant kingfisher.
References[]
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2021.654156/full