120M-Year-Old Chromeornis funkyi Died Choking on 800 Stones

• A 120-million-year-old fossil of a bird, named Chromeornis funkyi, was found with over 800 small stones stuck in its throat.
• Paleontologists believe the bird died from choking while attempting to regurgitate the large mass of stones.
• Unlike typical gastroliths, these stones were not for digestion, as the bird's family lacked a gizzard for grinding food.
• Scientists hypothesize the bird was sick or had a mineral deficiency, leading to "pica" behavior where it consumed the stones.
• The well-preserved fossil, discovered in a Chinese museum, offers insights into prehistoric life and challenges faced by ancient creatures.

Why It Matters: Fossil reveals ancient bird's agonizing death, offering rare insight into prehistoric disease.