Archeopteryx
"Ancient Wing"
| One of the earliest and oldest known prehistoric bird dating from about 150 million years ago during the Jurassic Period. It seemed to be part bird and part dinosaur. Unlike modern day birds it had teeth, three claws on each wing, a flat sternum (breastbone), belly ribs, and a long bony tail. As with modern birds it had feathers, a lightly built body and hollow bones, a wishbone and reduced fingers. Yet it also had similarities to dinosaurs, including teeth, skull, lack of a horny bill and certain bone structures. It may have bee able to fly but not very long nor very far. |