Fossil birds from the João Cativo paleontological site, Itapipoca, Ceará, Brazil

Abstract

This study examines the bird fossils unearthed from the natural tank deposits of the João Cativo Paleontological Site (JCPS), nestled in Itapipoca, Ceará State, Brazil. These deposits, a cornerstone in our understanding of the paleoecology of the Brazilian Intertropical Region during the Quaternary period, have conserved a staggering diversity of fauna, notably the Quaternary megafauna. In addition to the megafauna, the JCPS natural tanks have safeguarded unidentified bird fossil remains. Our research uncovers the presence of birds from the Accipitridae family, a group with a broad distribution across the American continent, and the record of Rhea americana, a terrestrial bird that populates biomes such as Cerrado, Caatinga, and the Pampa grasslands. The existence of these fossils underscores the JCPS's pivotal role as an exceptionally diversified deposit, not only in mammals but also in birds and other animal groups.