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150-Million-Year-Old Fossil Redefines Bird Evolution Timeline

2/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In a groundbreaking discovery, Chinese scientists unearthed the fossil of Baminornis zhenghensis in Fujian Province, dating back 150 million years. This ancient bird, with its short tail, hints that modern bird characteristics evolved much earlier than believed, potentially pushing the origins of birds back to 172-164 million years ago and reshaping our understanding of avian evolution.

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Story summary

In a groundbreaking discovery, Chinese scientists unearthed the fossil of Baminornis zhenghensis in Fujian Province, dating back 150 million years. This ancient bird, with its short tail, hints that modern bird characteristics evolved much earlier than believed, potentially pushing the origins of birds back to 172-164 million years ago and reshaping our understanding of avian evolution.