Amitabha urbsinterdictensis

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Amitabha urbsinterdictensis is an extinct Middle Eocene bird from North America, about 50 million years old. Only one fossil has been found: the type specimen AMNH 30331, a partial skeleton with pieces of the wing bones, sternum, and pelvis, from the Bridger Formation in Wyoming. The species was named in 2002 by Bonnie Gulas-Wroblewski and Anton Wroblewski. They initially classified it as a galliform (the group that includes peacocks, pheasants, and turkeys). This idea was criticized by Gerald Mayr. A 2009 study by Daniel Ksepka found it did not belong with galliforms after all, but showed affinities to rails. The name "urbsinterdictensis" refers to the "Forbidden City" locality in Wyoming, and "Amitabha" honors the Amitabha Buddha, who is often depicted with a peacock in some traditions.