Pompelos

Pompelos is a genus of small, flightless birds that were endemic to the Mediterranean island of Corsica. The scientific name, Pompelos, is derived from the Greek word for "plump" or "fat," a descriptor that likely referred to their body shape. These birds are known from fossil evidence, primarily consisting of bone fragments discovered in cave deposits and Pleistocene-era sediments.

Ornithologists believe Pompelos was a member of the rail family (Rallidae), a group that includes many species of small to medium-sized ground-dwelling birds, some of which are also flightless. The discovery of Pompelos indicates that Corsica, like many other islands, harbored unique avian species that evolved in isolation. The exact reasons for their extinction are not definitively known, but habitat loss, introduced predators, and hunting by early human settlers are all considered potential contributing factors. The fossil record of Pompelos is limited, but ongoing paleontological research may reveal more about this extinct Corsican bird.