[D] Jixiangornis orientalis [~/~]
Describer
Ji Q., Ji Shuan, Zhang, Zhang, J., Wang., Yuan & Ji, X. 2002
Time
Cretaceous Early
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Maniraptora Avialae [Aves] Not considered dinosaur
Fossilsite
Yixian Formation, Sihetun area of Beipiao City, western Liaoning, NE China
Info
A well-preserved specimen of an avialan bird with a complete skull and postcranial bones, it is characterized by the development of a beak, the large sternum with a weak keel, the typical U-shaped furcula, the forelimbs much longer than the hindlimbs (about 131:100) and the long tail with about 27 caudal vertebrae. Due to this characters this avialan bird is surely considered to be capable of flight stronger than Shenzhouraptor and Archaeopteryx.