A groundbreaking fossil discovery in China has pushed back the origin of birds by nearly 20 million years, revealing that they may have evolved alongside dinosaurs rather than emerging from a single linear path. Baminornis zhenghensis, a previously unknown species, was found with an intact pelvis, trunk, forelimbs, and part of the hindlimb in East China’s Fujian Province.
This discovery is significant as it challenges the long-held notion that Archaeopteryx, discovered in Germany, was the only bird fossil from the Jurassic period. The new finding, published in the journal Nature, suggests that birds had already existed by 160 million years ago, and their evolution may have occurred concurrently with that of dinosaurs.
Baminornis displays several characteristic bird features, including a short tail, which is critical for aerodynamics. This innovation allowed for more efficient flight, setting it apart from other Jurassic-era fossils like Archaeopteryx, which had a long feathered tail.
The fossil’s unique blend of dinosaur and bird-like traits raises questions about the pace of avian evolution. Researchers believe that millions of years of evolutionary changes occurred before Baminornis emerged, leading to its distinct physical characteristics.
Source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/chinese-scientists-discover-oldest-bird-fossils-rewrite-history-of-avian-evolution