Longipteryx chaoyangensis
By José Carlos Cortés on @quetzalcuetzpalin-art
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Name: Longipteryx chaoyangensis
Name Meaning: One with Long Wing Feathers
First Described: 2001
Described By: Zhang et al.
Classification: Dinosauria, Theropoda, Neotheropoda, Averostra, Tetanurae, Orionides, Avetheropoda, Coelurosauria, Tyrannoraptora, Maniraptoriformes, Maniraptora, Pennaraptora, Paraves, Eumaniraptora, Averaptora, Avialae, Euavialae, Avebrevicauda, Pygostylia, Ornithothoraces, Enantiornithes, Eoenantiornithes
Longipteryx is a well known Jiufotang Bird, living about 120 million years ago in the Aptian age of the Early Cretaceous. It is, thus, yet another in the long line of birdy animals from the Jehol Biota, and one of the many Opposite Birds known from the region. Longipteryx is known from multiple skeletons and was very well preserved, allowing for some decent idea of what it was like in life. It had a wingspan of about 34 centimeters and a body length of about 16 centimeters, and an estimated tail length of 18 centimeters, meaning that it had very large and broad wings, and a stubby tail without rectrices. It also had short legs.
By El Fosilmaníaco, CC BY SA 4.0
Longipteryx had a long bill, with large curved teeth in the tips of the jaw. These teeth were large and conical but also flattened and curved, indicating that Longipteryx may have been a fishing organism, catching small fish out of the swamps and lakes in its environment. It probably would have been a decent percher, and may have even been arboreal, which might indicate that it was an insectivore instead of a piscivore. It is also entirely possible that it had a mixed lifestyle of both - with so many other animals to compete against for food in its environment, exploiting multiple sources of food may have been a decent ecological strategy. It may have lived very similarly to a modern-day kingfisher.
By Scott Reid on @drawingwithdinosaurs
Longipteryx lived in a forested, temperate to subtropical swamp near stagnant lakes and rivers, and with its broad wings it probably used flapping flight to maneuver amongst the trees and, if it did fish for food, dive amongst these bodies of water looking for prey. It had a strengthened ribcage, which probably would have aided it in flight or support for its digestive system. It was very distinctive, even amongst Enantiornithines, for its unique combination of morphological traits.
Sources:
Martyniuk, M. P. 2012. A Field Guide to Mesozoic Birds and other Winged Dinosaurs. Pan Aves; Vernon, New Jersey.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longipteryx
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