10 birds from the time of dinosaurs and how they looked like
When we think of dinosaurs, massive creatures like Tyrannosaurus rex or Triceratops come to mind. But what many don't realize is that modern birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs.
In fact, some bird-like creatures lived alongside the giant reptiles of the Mesozoic Era. These early birds were part of an interesting evolutionary journey, gradually shifting from reptilian ancestors to the feathered friends we know today.
Fossils from millions of years ago reveal that bird-like dinosaurs and early birds coexisted, with many of them showing a mix of traits, like feathers, wings, claws, and teeth.
Some could glide, others may have just flapped, and most of those avian ancestors looked far more bizarre than any bird we see now.
Though they're extinct, these ancient birds left behind clues that have helped scientists understand how flight evolved and how birds became what they are today.
Here are 10 bird species from the age of dinosaurs
Archaeopteryx
Archaeopteryx lived around 150 million years ago and is often called the first true bird.
It had feathered wings like modern birds but also sharp teeth, claws on its wings, and a long, bony tail, clear signs of being dinosaur ancestors.
Confuciusornis
Confuciusornis appeared around 125 million years ago in China. It had a beak with no teeth and long tail feathers, probably for display. Though it resembled modern birds, it still had clawed fingers and likely wasn't a strong flier.
Ichthyornis
Living about 90 million years ago, Ichthyornis looked a lot like today's seabirds but with one key difference that it had sharp teeth.
Its strong wings and sleek body suggest it was a skilled flier, likely hunting fish by diving into waters from the air.
Hesperornis
Hesperornis lived in the Late Cretaceous and was more like a prehistoric penguin. It couldn't fly but was an excellent swimmer, using its strong legs and teeth-filled jaws to catch fish in the seas of ancient North America.
Jeholornis
Jeholornis, from around 120 million years ago, had a long, feathered tail and teeth in its beak.
Though it had wings, it probably didn't fly well. It may have used its feathers more for gliding or display than for a stable flight.
Rahonavis
Rahonavis was a small, feathered creature from Madagascar that lived about 70 million years ago. Though it was tiny, it had strong legs and arms with claws, suggesting it may have been flexible and comfortable in trees and possibly capable of powered flight.
Sapeornis
Sapeornis lived about 125 million years ago and had a mix of bird and dinosaur traits.
It had long wings and could glide or fly short distances. With claws on its wings and a primitive tail, it looked like a bird in making.
Enantiornithes
This entire group of birds survived during the Cretaceous period but went extinct with the dinosaurs. They had teeth, clawed wings, and varied in size and shape. They were widespread and successful, but no direct descendants survive today.
Anchiornis
Anchiornis had feathers and wings but wasn't quite a bird.
It lived about 160 million years ago and had four feathered limbs both arms and legs, which could be a hint at an early stage in the evolution of flight. It likely glided more than flew.
Patagopteryx
Patagopteryx lived around 80 million years ago and was completely flightless. About the size of a chicken, it had strong legs for running and small wings that couldn't support flight. It's one of the earliest examples of a bird that adapted to life on the ground.
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