150-million-year-old bird fossil had tiny wings and dinosaur-like teeth
A 150-million-year-old fossil discovered in China, named Yuezhuornis yangyuanensis, reveals a unique bird species with small wings and dinosaur-like teeth. The findings suggest that early birds may have relied more on running than flight, bridging the evolutionary gap between dinosaurs and modern birds.
Why it matters
This discovery provides critical insights into the evolutionary transition of flight and the diverse survival strategies of early avian species.
For millions of years, the evolution of flight has been the story of birds. But a remarkable fossil from southeastern China suggests some of the earliest birds may have preferred to keep their feet on the ground. The new species lived about 150 million years ago, and had surprisingly small wings for a bird, sharp teeth, and a powerful claw that would have made it well suited for life as a terrestrial hunter, according to an online report by Reuters.A bird that may have preferred to runThe crow-sized species, named Yuezhuornis yangyuanensis, lived during the Jurassic Period and is among the earliest-known birds, Reuters reported.
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