Rare Bird Contour Feather Fossil from Nevada

Description: Generally speaking the only fossils found at this location are two different species of Pliocene fish, Fundulus nevadensis and Gasterosteus doryssus. They are found in the diatomaceous earth quarries surrounding Hazen and Fernley, Nevada. All these fossils were deposited in fresh water lakes.

Other very rare fossils are occasionally found, like this unidentified bird feather. From it appearance I would identify this as a contour feather. It is a specialized feather that would help form the outline of the bird to give it a streamlined look. It is differentiated from the stiff flight feathers by its delicate and smaller size. The feather displays excellent preservation and detail of the vanes.

This feather will be shipped in a large attractive glass enclosed Riker mount. Please do not handle the paper shale plates, as they are extremely fragile.