Argentine paleontologists found a new species of owl that lived on the planet about 40,000 years ago. This bird was of impressive size and, notably, preyed on smaller owls.
Scientists have discovered the fossilized remains of the animal in the formation of Cangahua, located in the Ecuadorian province of Chimborazo. The new species was named Asio ecuadoriensis. This bird compared to other owls is almost a giant. Its height is 70 inches, and a wingspan of 1.5 meters, and its legs longer and more robust than any other species of owls.
Animal scientists found in a cave, which, in their opinion, was used for this bird’s nest. She was a predator like other species of owls, but unlike them, preyed on their smaller brethren – the smaller owls. According to the researchers, these facts are found, but they are extremely rare and this is a question little explored in the literature.
“We think that climate change that occurred about 10,000 years ago when the ice age ended, was partially the reason for the disappearance of these large birds of prey,” says study co-author Federico Agnolin.
