A 150-million-year-old fossil from China may be the world’s earliest known bird, according to a recent discovery. The find shows that modern birds’ characteristic short tails evolved earlier than previously thought.
The new fossil, named Baminornis zhenghensis, was found in November 2023 and dates back to the time of Archaeopteryx, but with a distinct feature: a short tail like those of modern birds. This pushes back the date of this evolutionary innovation by 20 million years.
Baminornis lived about the size of a quail, weighing around 140-300 grams, and had features similar to both dinosaurs and modern birds. Its hands retained dinosaur-like morphology, while its pectoral and pelvic anatomy were more bird-like. This suggests that different body regions evolved independently.
Experts say Baminornis’s features indicate it was a better flyer than Archaeopteryx, which is believed to have flown only for short bursts. The discovery is considered an “amazing fossil” that sheds new light on the evolutionary transition from dinosaurs to birds.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2468073-quail-sized-feathered-dinosaur-may-be-the-earliest-known-bird