Brantius

Brantius is a genus of extinct birds that lived during the Paleocene epoch, approximately 66 to 56 million years ago. Fossils of Brantius have been discovered in the United States, primarily in the Wyoming region. This genus is known from several partial skeletons, which provide insights into its morphology and evolutionary relationships.

The birds of the genus Brantius were relatively small, with estimated body sizes comparable to modern pigeons. Their skeletal features suggest that they were capable of flight, though their exact ecological niche and flight capabilities are still debated among paleontologists. Analysis of their bone structure indicates adaptations for perching, suggesting they likely inhabited arboreal environments. The diet of Brantius is inferred to have consisted of insects or other small invertebrates, based on comparisons with contemporary bird species.

Brantius belongs to the order Galliformes, which includes modern chickens, turkeys, and pheasants. However, its precise placement within Galliformes, and its relationship to other early bird lineages, remains a subject of ongoing research and revision as new fossil evidence emerges. The discovery of Brantius has contributed to our understanding of avian diversification in the aftermath of the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event.