the early fossil record is poor because the first passeriformes were on the small side, and their delicate bones did not preserve well. two specimens from queensland, australia are fossil bone fragments clearly recognizable as passeriform. they are two species of about 10 and 20 cm in overall length. this proves that some 55 mya, barely into the early eocene, early perching birds were recognizably distinct. it also suggests that the origin of this great order of birds was in the southern continent.