How did birds start flying? Scientists find answers through feathered dinosaur fossil

A well preserved Archaeopteryx fossil has offered detailed analysis into the evolution of flight of birds some 150 million years ago, according to a study. This comes more than 160 years after the remains of Archaeopteryx were discovered for the first time.

In a new study, published in the Nature journal on Wednesday, scientists have conducted a CT-scan of a nearly complete and uncrushed specimen to gain fresh insights into how birds started flying, The New York Times reported.

Discovery of Archaeopteryx

It all started in 1861 when a group of scientists discovered Archaeopteryx in Germany's Solnhofen. This was found in limestones that were nearly 150 million years old. Back then, they were not aware that the fossilised skeleton, along with the several others that followed, would go on to provide major evidence regarding the theory of evolution.


The fossil in a German quarry had visible feathers that instantly made it one of the earliest known bird candidates, the Guardian reported. This is the first specimen to have been identified with specialised wing feathers on the upper arm bone. The feathers go on to create a smooth aerodynamic line from the wing to body.

Dr Jingmai O’Connor, who led the research, said that the Archaeopteryx specimens have changed the way people "see the world" in comparison to other fossils. The paleontologist at the Field Museum in Chicago, along with his team, sheds light on the soft tissues along with the skeleton of the Chicago Archaeopteryx specimen.

Although Archaeopteryx is not considered among the firsts in dinosaurs to have 'wings,' O’Connor suggests that it could probably be the earliest known dinosaur that had the capability to fly using its feathers.

Such feathers remain missing in other feathered dinosaurs, even though they remain closely associated with birds.

The research highlights that the wing feathers of those dinosaurs only reached the elbow, adding that "non-avian dinosaurs couldn’t fly". However, Archaeopteryx had this ability in it.

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Where did the Chicago specimen come from?

The latest specimen was owned privately earlier. The Field Museum acquired it in 2022 and put it up for display last year.

This Chicago specimen helped the researchers to look into more details into Archaeopteryx and how it could fly. The first time when this fossil was brought to the museum, it had the same colour as its surrounding rock. The researchers even found it difficult to see through most of the soft-tissue.

Later on, the Field Museum scientists did CT-scan and illuminated it using the UV light to have its digital map. Chicago Archaeopteryx's bones remained preserved in three dimensions. This helped the team in having a better evaluation of its skull's palate.

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FAQs

1. Could Chicago Archaeopteryx fly?
The latest study suggests that the "beautifully preserved" Archaeopteryx had tertial feathers that reveal major details into its flying capabilities.

2. When and where was the first Archaeopteryx fossil discovered?
According to reports, it was found in 1861 in 150 million-years-old limestones from Germany's Solnhofen.