Torikka

Torikka is a genus of extinct birds belonging to the order Hesperornithiformes. These were flightless marine diving birds that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossils of Torikka have been found in North America. The most notable species, Torikka anna, was discovered in the Lance Formation of Wyoming.

Torikka were characterized by their reduced wings, which were incapable of flight, and their powerful legs adapted for swimming and diving. Like other hesperornithiforms, they possessed a toothless beak and likely fed on fish. Their skeletal structure indicates adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle, with a streamlined body and dense bones that would have aided in diving. The exact placement of Torikka within the Hesperornithiformes is still debated among paleontologists, but it is generally considered to be a more primitive member of the group compared to the well-known Hesperornis. The discovery of Torikka has contributed to our understanding of the diversity and evolution of marine birds during the Mesozoic Era.