Riversleigh Fossil Unlocks Ancient Songbird’s Story

Fossil remains of a large, extinct, ground-dwelling bird have been unearthed at Riversleigh in Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal Land), dating back around 17 to 18 million years. The discovery provides important evidence that Australia’s distinctive songbirds have ancient origins.

The fossil, a wrist bone, closely resembles those of modern lyrebirds and has been identified as belonging to Menura tyawanoides, a species thought to have been mostly terrestrial with only limited ability to fly. Researchers believe it once lived in the thick understorey of tropical lowland rainforests that covered the region millions of years ago.

This find adds to Riversleigh’s reputation as one of the world’s top fossil sites and part of the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage Area. Often described as a window into the past, Riversleigh continues to reveal remarkable insights into Australia’s natural history and the evolution of its unique wildlife. Fossils like these not only deepen our understanding of the continent’s biodiversity but also highlight the importance of protecting sites that keep delivering world-class scientific discoveries.

The growing field of paleo-tourism is another benefit, with the Queensland Government expecting it to contribute $82 million to the state’s economy in the next 15 years. Ranger Lea Ezzy said Boodjamulla National Park is already one of Queensland’s most popular outback destinations, offering visitors a mix of natural wonders and fossil experiences.

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“The park is also home to Lawn Hill Gorge, famous for its emerald-green waters, towering sandstone cliffs, and incredible wildlife,” she said. “From breathtaking landscapes to some of the richest fossil deposits on the planet, Boodjamulla is both a cultural treasure and a natural haven that we are committed to protecting for generations to come.”

Professor Mike Archer from the University of New South Wales added that Riversleigh is one of the most significant fossil sites in the world. “It provides an extraordinary record of Australia’s past ecosystems and the species that once thrived here,” he explained.

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“Thousands of fossils discovered at Riversleigh are helping us piece together the story of life on this continent, showing how animals adapted to ancient cycles of climate change. That history offers us critical lessons about the future, giving us clues on how to protect today’s wildlife—including lyrebirds, whose ancestors once lived at Riversleigh—from the growing threat of climate-driven extinctions.”