Coatue

Coatue is a genus of medium-sized to large extinct birds belonging to the family Cathartidae, commonly known as New World vultures. These birds inhabited North America during the Pleistocene epoch. Fossil remains of Coatue have been discovered in various locations, providing insights into their paleontology and evolutionary history.

The genus Coatue is distinguished by its skeletal features, which indicate adaptations for scavenging, similar to modern vultures. These adaptations likely included a strong beak for tearing flesh and keen eyesight for locating carrion. The exact species within the Coatue genus and their specific ecological roles are subjects of ongoing scientific research.

The extinction of Coatue, like many other megafauna from the Pleistocene, is thought to be linked to environmental changes and possibly human activity that occurred at the end of the last ice age. Studying these extinct birds helps paleontologists understand the biodiversity of prehistoric North America and the dynamics of ancient ecosystems. Their classification within Cathartidae places them within a lineage of birds that diversified to exploit a scavenging niche.