Science Facts

Archaeopteryx is an extinct genus of bird-like dinosaurs. Even though they were small, with broad wings, and had an inferred ability to fly or glide, they had more features in common with other small Mesozoic dinosaurs than with modern birds. Archaeopteryx shared dinosaur features such as jaws, sharp teeth, three fingers with claws, a long bony tail, hyperextensible second toes (killing claw), and feathers (among other features). Archaeopteryx is considered an intermediate between our modern day birds and predatory dinosaurs like Deinonychus. In other words, if you’ve ever wondered where birds came from, the Archaeopteryx fossils provide evidence. Archaeopteryx is one of the most famous transitional fossils and gives evidence for the evolution of birds from theropod dinosaurs. Birds are dinosaurs!