Archaeopteryx
Archaeopteryx
Archaeopteryx lithographica
JurassicCarnivoreTheropodSmall
- Length 0.5 m
- Mass 1 kg
Archaeopteryx, sometimes referred to by its German name, "Urvogel " is an extinct genus of bird-like dinosaurs. The genus name derives from the Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖος, meaning 'ancient', and πτέρυξ, meaning 'feather, wing'. Between the late 19th century and the early 21st century, Archaeopteryx was generally accepted by palaeontologists and popular reference books as the oldest known bird. Older potential avialans have since been identified, including Anchiornis, Xiaotingia, Aurornis, and Baminornis.
Attributes
- Length
- 0.5 m
- Mass
- 1 kg
- Time range
- 149.2 - 145.06 Ma
- Size class
- Small
- Region
- Germany
Sources
Facts are drawn from the Paleobiology Database and Wikipedia. Images are reconstructions, not photographs.
