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avisaurus: carnivore dinosaur from the Cretaceous era

Avisaurus Facts

Note: Although historically classified as a dinosaur, Avisaurus is no longer considered one based on current scientific understanding. It remains a fascinating prehistoric creature.

Pronunciation: AH-vee-SORE-us

Name meaning: Bird Lizard

Diet	Carnivore
Wing Span	0.15m
Length	0.3m
Weight	50 g
Environment	Air
Era	Cretaceous
Period	Late Cretaceous
Type	Other
Location	North America

Although once classified as a dinosaur, Avisaurus is now known to be an enantiornithine bird - a member of an extinct group of early birds that lived alongside dinosaurs during the Mesozoic Era. This fascinating creature soared through the skies of North America during the Late Cretaceous period, around 72 million years ago.

Avisaurus was a small flying bird, roughly the size of a modern crow, with a wingspan estimated at around 60 centimetres. Unlike modern birds, enantiornithines like Avisaurus retained several primitive features, including teeth in their jaws and claws on their wings. These ancient birds were highly successful during the Cretaceous period, occupying many of the ecological niches that modern birds fill today.

As a carnivore, Avisaurus likely fed on small animals such as insects, lizards, and possibly fish. Its sharp teeth would have been perfect for grasping slippery prey. The creature's strong flight capabilities suggest it was an active hunter, capable of pursuing prey both in the air and by diving to snatch animals from the ground or water surface.

Avisaurus represents an important evolutionary step in the development of modern birds. These enantiornithine birds were among the most diverse flying vertebrates of their time, but sadly went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period along with the non-avian dinosaurs.

What made Avisaurus distinctive?

Avisaurus had teeth in its beak-like jaws, clawed fingers on its wings, and a long tail with feathers. Its wing bones showed distinctive features that set it apart from modern birds, including a differently shaped shoulder joint.

Behaviour

Avisaurus was likely an agile flyer capable of powered flight, hunting small prey from the air. Evidence suggests these birds may have been social, potentially living in small flocks and nesting in colonies near water sources.

Fun Facts About Avisaurus

Avisaurus had teeth in its jaws, unlike any bird alive today
Despite being a bird, Avisaurus retained claws on its wings that it could use for climbing
Avisaurus fossils include some of the best-preserved enantiornithine bird remains ever found
The name Avisaurus means 'bird lizard' because it was initially mistaken for a small dinosaur
Avisaurus lived at the same time as Tyrannosaurus rex, sharing the Late Cretaceous skies above North America

Scientific Classification

Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Family	Avisauridae
Genus	Avisaurus

Discovery

Avisaurus was first described by Brett-Surman and Paul in 1976. The original fossils were discovered at Montana, USA.

Avisaurus FAQ

What did Avisaurus eat?

Avisaurus was a carnivore that fed on small animals including insects, small lizards, and possibly fish. Its sharp teeth were well-suited for grasping and holding slippery prey.

How big was Avisaurus?

Avisaurus was about 30 centimetres long from beak to tail, stood roughly 15 centimetres tall, and weighed approximately 50 grams - similar in size to a modern crow.

When did Avisaurus live?

Avisaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72.2 million years ago, sharing its world with famous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.

Where was Avisaurus found?

Avisaurus fossils have been discovered in North America, particularly in Montana, USA. The remains were found in Late Cretaceous rock formations.

How do you pronounce Avisaurus?

Avisaurus is pronounced 'AH-vee-SORE-us', with emphasis on the first and third syllables.

What does Avisaurus mean?

Avisaurus means 'bird lizard' in Latin. This name reflects the initial confusion about whether it was a small dinosaur or an early bird.

How fast could Avisaurus run?

Avisaurus's running speed is unknown, but as a flying bird, it would have relied primarily on flight rather than running for locomotion and escape from predators.

What type of dinosaur was Avisaurus?

Avisaurus was not actually a dinosaur at all. It was an enantiornithine bird - an extinct group of early birds that lived alongside dinosaurs during the Mesozoic Era.

Was Avisaurus related to birds?

Yes, Avisaurus was itself a bird - specifically an enantiornithine bird. These ancient birds were more closely related to modern birds than to dinosaurs, though they retained some primitive features like teeth.

How many Avisaurus fossils have been found?

Several Avisaurus specimens have been discovered, including well-preserved wing and leg bones. The fossils are relatively rare but have provided important insights into early bird evolution.