A team of paleontologists from the University of Alberta has discovered a mass grave of ancient birds that died in a flash flood about 75 million years ago. The fossils were found in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation in Alberta, Canada, and include the remains of at least 10 different species of birds, including parrots, owls, and songbirds.

The researchers believe that the birds were killed when a sudden thunderstorm caused a flash flood that swept through the area. The birds were likely roosting in the trees when the flood hit, and they were unable to escape. The flood waters carried the birds' bodies downstream, where they were buried in sediment.

The fossils are remarkably well-preserved, and they provide a rare glimpse into the diversity of birds that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. The researchers say that the discovery is also significant because it helps to shed light on the evolution of birds.

"These fossils are a window into the past," said lead researcher Derek Larson. "They show us that the birds that lived 75 million years ago were just as diverse as the birds that live today."

The researchers say that the mass grave of birds is also a reminder of the power of nature.

"This flood was a devastating event for the birds, but it also preserved their remains for us to study," said Larson. "These fossils are a reminder that even the smallest of creatures can be affected by large-scale events."

The findings were published in the journal Current Biology.