Riversleigh, in northwest Queensland, Australia, is one of the world’s premier fossil sites. Its exceptional remains of mammals, birds, and reptiles, 25-15 million years old, help scientists understand Australia’s evolution and its natural history.

In the latest groundbreaking discovery, the fossil of an extinct species of 17-18 million years old ground-dwelling bird with strong ties to Australia’s most iconic species of songbird was discovered. The wrist bone discovered at Boodjamulla National Park belonged to a large relative of the lyrebirds known for their extraordinary vocal abilities.