Ichthyornis fossil map
Where fossils of Ichthyornis have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 85 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 85 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Prehistoric birds |
|---|---|
| Lived | 100.5–72.2 million years ago (Cenomanian to Campanian) |
| Periods | Cretaceous |
| Named by | Marsh 1872 |
| Fossil records | 33 occurrences at 26 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, Canada, Uzbekistan, Mexico |
| Rock formations | Niobrara, Mooreville Chalk, Belle Fourche, Ector Chalk, Pflugerville, Gober Chalk |
About Ichthyornis
Ichthyornis (meaning "fish bird", after its fish-like vertebrae) is an extinct genus of toothy seabird-like ornithuran from the Late Cretaceous of North America. Its fossil remains are mostly known from the chalks of Alberta, Alabama, Kansas (Greenhorn Limestone), New Mexico, Saskatchewan, and Texas, in strata that were laid down in the Western Interior Seaway, spanning from the Cenomanian to the Campanian ages of the Late Cretaceous. Ichthyornis is a common component of the Niobrara Formation fauna, and numerous specimens have been found.
Ichthyornis has been historically important in shedding light on bird evolution. It was the first known prehistoric bird relative preserved with teeth, and Charles Darwin noted its significance during the early years of the theory of evolution. Ichthyornis remains important today as it is one of the few Mesozoic era ornithurans known from more than a few specimens.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Ichthyornis (revision 1372848985), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 22 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q132820.
