Zeltornis

Zeltornis is a genus of prehistoric bird belonging to the Pelagornithidae family, also known as bony-toothed birds. These birds are characterized by bony, tooth-like projections along their jaws, which were not true teeth but extensions of the jawbone used for gripping slippery prey, such as fish and squid.

Fossil evidence of Zeltornis has been primarily found in Paleogene deposits, particularly in what is now Europe. The exact temporal range is debated, but generally falls within the Eocene and Oligocene epochs.

Zeltornis species, like other pelagornithids, were likely large seabirds with a wide wingspan adapted for soaring over the ocean. Their estimated size varies depending on the specific species and fragmentary nature of the fossils discovered.

The classification of Zeltornis within the Pelagornithidae and its relationship to other genera in the family is still an area of active research. Different paleontological studies have proposed varying phylogenetic relationships based on morphological analyses of the fossil remains.

The study of Zeltornis provides valuable insights into the evolution and paleobiogeography of pelagornithids, and more broadly, into the diversification of avian life after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.