Tutkitui

Tutkitui is a genus of extinct birds that lived during the late Cretaceous period. Fossil evidence suggests they inhabited what is now South America, specifically in regions of Argentina. The name "Tutkitui" is derived from the indigenous Mapuche language, meaning "ancient bird."

These birds are primarily known from fragmentary remains, including parts of the skull, beak, and wing bones. The most distinctive feature of Tutkitui appears to be its beak, which was described as being relatively large and robust. Analysis of its skeletal structure indicates that Tutkitui was likely a ground-dwelling or semi-aquatic bird. Its diet is not precisely known but may have consisted of insects, small invertebrates, or plant matter.

Tutkitui belongs to the order Ichthyornithiformes, a group of primitive toothed birds that existed alongside non-avian dinosaurs. This classification places them among the early bird lineages that survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, though Tutkitui itself did not. The discovery of Tutkitui has contributed to our understanding of avian evolution during the Mesozoic Era and the diversity of bird life that existed before the mass extinction. Further fossil discoveries may shed more light on the specific lifestyle and evolutionary relationships of this ancient bird.