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Ancient Bird Fossils Rewrite 149-Million-Year Evolution History

2/15/2025

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Summary

Chinese Scientists Discover

In a groundbreaking discovery, Chinese scientists unearthed two remarkable bird fossils in Fujian Province, dating back 149 million years. Among them, Baminornis zhenghensis emerges as the oldest short-tailed bird, predating previous findings by 20 million years. This revelation sheds new light on the evolution of modern bird structures during the Late Jurassic, transforming our understanding of avian history.

Summary

Antarctic Discovery Unveiled

A remarkable discovery in Antarctica has unveiled the nearly complete skull of Vegavis iaai, a 69-million-year-old bird and the earliest-known modern bird fossil. This extraordinary find hints that modern birds might have evaded the catastrophic asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs by seeking shelter in the icy continent, while also revealing intriguing connections to today’s diving birds.

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Chinese Scientists Discover

In a groundbreaking discovery, Chinese scientists unearthed two remarkable bird fossils in Fujian Province, dating back 149 million years. Among them, Baminornis zhenghensis emerges as the oldest short-tailed bird, predating previous findings by 20 million years. This revelation sheds new light on the evolution of modern bird structures during the Late Jurassic, transforming our understanding of avian history.

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