Extinct crow-sized bird Confuciusornis sp. fossil. This is the oldest known beaked bird and one of the oldest known birds. It was named after the Chin

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Extinct crow-sized bird Confuciusornis sp. fossil. This is the oldest known beaked bird and one of the oldest known birds. It was named after the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE). Confuciusornis had asymmetrical flight feathers and lacked teeth in its mouth. Its wingspan was comparable to that of crows today, approximately 70 centimetres. Unlike modern birds, it had three clawed fingers on the leading edge of each wing. This fossil dates back to the Lower Cretaceous period, 120 million years ago. Found in Liaoning, China.

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Size: 3767px × 5500px
Photo credit: © ***DEPENDS ON PIC***/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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