Integrative analysis of the quaternary avian remains from Última Esperanza, Chile

We examine three avian remains from the Última Esperanza cave complex. This site is a Natural Monument situated along the flanks of Cerro Benítez, Magallanes Region of Chile. A tarsometatarsus (MLP 94-VIII-10-12) is assigned to Rhea pennata, and a humerus (MLP 94-VIII-10-111) to Phalacrocorax brasilianus. Both, R. pennata and P. brasilianus, are currently distributed in the Magallanes Region, and their presence within the cave can be easily explained by the cut marks found on the tarsometatarsus, that evidence human consumption. The absence of traces on the humerus is not decisive in this regard, because the wings are not the most fleshy parts of the body and therefore, not the preferred piece by predators. It can represent the waste. A small bill (MLP 94-VIII-10-140) of a passerine bird belongs to a fresh bone and should be treated as contamination. •This contribution presents the first study of the Cueva del Milodón avian fossil record.•A humerus assigned to Phalacrocorax brasilianus and a tarsometatarsus of Rhea pennata, belong to species that occur in the area today.•The cut marks observed in Rhea pennata evidence anthropic interaction.•A bill from Cueva del Milodón belongs to a recent passerine bird and is considered contamination.