Evolution 101

Anchiornis was a birdlike dinosaur with four wings that lived 160 million years ago. Fossils found in China demonstrate the evolution of feathers in modern birds.

Gotta love dinos, particularly the ones leading to the modern bird. :)

Perhaps it was soft, even fuzzy. But it was also very much a dinosaur.

Anchiornis was a four-winged birdlike species that lived about 160 million years ago, and many fossil specimens have been found in China. A number of them were discovered with preserved feathers, but until recently the feathers had not been described in detail.

Anchiornis (the name means “near bird”) was about 14 inches long from its beak to the end of its tail, barely larger than a pigeon but much more impressive. It had long feathers on its four wings, and its appendages ended in claws.

Anchiornis did not, however, have the reverse toe of modern birds that allows them to perch. It climbed trees, hanging on with all four feet.

Read on, as science never disappoints. :)