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Ancient Dinosaur Discovery Links to Birds' Vocal Origins

7/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A remarkable discovery in Hebei Province, China, reveals the 163-million-year-old Pulaosaurus qinglong, hinting at the ancient origins of birdsong. With a birdlike throat structure, this dinosaur may have chirped, connecting it to the vocal traits of today’s birds. This finding suggests that the roots of birdsong could stretch back over 230 million years, though the evolution of the syrinx remains a mystery.

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Story summary

A remarkable discovery in Hebei Province, China, reveals the 163-million-year-old Pulaosaurus qinglong, hinting at the ancient origins of birdsong. With a birdlike throat structure, this dinosaur may have chirped, connecting it to the vocal traits of today’s birds. This finding suggests that the roots of birdsong could stretch back over 230 million years, though the evolution of the syrinx remains a mystery.