# Mopsitta

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***Mopsitta tanta*** is an extinct [bird](/source/Bird) of [uncertain taxonomic position](/source/Incertae_sedis) from the [Early Eocene](/source/Early_Eocene) of [Denmark](/source/Denmark); its remains were recovered from the [Fur Formation](/source/Fur_Formation). So far, the [holotype](/source/Holotype) and only known specimen is a single [humerus](/source/Humerus) bone of rather large size. Although the phylogenetic position of genus is unclear, it was initially presumed to be phylogenetically closer to Recent [Psittacidae](/source/Psittacidae) than to other known [Palaeogene](/source/Palaeogene) psittaciforms and may, therefore, represent the oldest known [crown-group](/source/Crown-group) parrot.[1]

However, further examination subsequently pointed out that the fossil lacks clear psittaciform (let alone psittacid) [apomorphies](/source/Apomorph). Following the discovery that the fossil [ibis](/source/Ibis) genus *[Rhynchaeites](/source/Rhynchaeites)* also occurred in the Fur Formation, it was hypothesized that the *M. tanta* humerus actually belongs in that genus, being a better match (except in size) to the known *Rhynchaeites* remains than to any psittaciform fossil hitherto found.[2]

The species has been nicknamed the "Danish Blue Parrot", or the "Norwegian Blue", in honor of the [Dead Parrot sketch](/source/Dead_Parrot_sketch) from *[Monty Python's Flying Circus](/source/Monty_Python's_Flying_Circus)*.[3][4]

## References

1. Waterhouse, D.M.; Lindow, B.E.K.; Zelenkov, N.V.; & Dyke, G.J. (2008). ["Two new parrots (Psittaciformes) from the Lower Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark"](https://curis.ku.dk/ws/files/3925609/waterhouseetal2008.pdf). *Palaeontology*. **51** (3): 575–582. [Bibcode:2008Palgy..51..575W](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008Palgy..51..575W). [doi:10.1111/j.1475-4983.2008.00777.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2008.00777.x). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201105214510/https://curis.ku.dk/ws/files/3925609/waterhouseetal2008.pdf) 2020-11-05 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2019-12-12.

1. Mayr G. & Bertelli S. (2011), ["A record of Rhynchaeites (Aves, Threskiornithidae) from the early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark, and the affinities of the alleged parrot *Mopsitta*"](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs12549-011-0050-8), *Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments* **91**(3): p. 229–236.

1. ["Parrot Fossil 55 Million Years Old Discovered In Scandinavia"](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516123153.htm). *ScienceDaily*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190706021253/https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080516123153.htm) 2019-07-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-04-11.

1. ["Norwegian Blue parrot really DID exist - but now they are all 'stiff, bereft of life and ex-parrots'"](https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/norwegian-blue-parrot-really-did-exist-but-now-they-are-all-stiff-bereft-of-life-and-exparrots-6698891.html). *The Standard*. 2012-04-12. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241214183900/https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/norwegian-blue-parrot-really-did-exist-but-now-they-are-all-stiff-bereft-of-life-and-exparrots-6698891.html) 2024-12-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-04-11.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mopsitta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mopsitta) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mopsitta?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.