Dr. Daniel Ksepka, curator of science at Bruce Museum, will address the New Canaan Men’s Club in Morrill Hall at St. Mark’s Church, Friday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m., following the 10 a.m. members-only weekly business meeting. His topic is Unearthing the World’s Largest Flying Bird.
Dr. Ksepka will talk about giant birds that soared over the oceans more than 25 million years ago. He will share the story of the discovery of one such remarkable bird discovered in Charleston, S.C., which was proven to be the largest flying bird that ever lived. With a wingspan of more than 20 feet, the extinct “bony-toothed” bird species Pelagornis sandersi was more than twice the size of the modern California Condor. Ksepka will explain how flight modeling software revealed the way this enormous bird managed to sustain flight. A view of the Pelagornis sandersi Wikipedia page reveals that in 2014 Ksepka, then with the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center in Durham, N.C., is credited with identifying this new species.
Ksepka earned a doctorate in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Columbia University, performing his dissertation research on fossil penguins at the American Museum of Natural History. His current research focuses on fossil birds and reptiles and has resulted in 50 scientific papers and many popular articles in Scientific American and other venues. He has named 18 extinct species, including a giant penguin, the oldest tree-dwelling crown bird and a long-necked sauropod dinosaur. His field work has spanned sites in Peru, New Zealand, and China in search of new fossils.
Ksepka is planning the upcoming exhibitions Under the Skin and Dinosaurs and Deities at Bruce Museum.
The New Canaan Men’s Club has openings for new members 55 and older. Anyone interested is invited to be a guest at the meeting. Information is available from Frank Haines at 203.-984-2602, or at NewCanaanMensClub.org.
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