Gobipteryx minuta
By Jack Wood on @thewoodparable
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Name: Gobipteryx minuta
Name Meaning: Gobi Wing
First Described: 1974
Described By: Elżanowski
Classification: Dinosauria, Theropoda, Neotheropoda, Averostra, Tetanurae, Orionides, Avetheropoda, Coelurosauria, Tyrannoraptora, Maniraptoriformes, Maniraptora, Pennaraptora, Paraves, Eumaniraptora, Averaptora, Avialae, Euavialae, Avebrevicauda, Pygostylia, Ornithothoraces, Enantiornithes
Gobipteryx is an Enantiornithine from the Barun Goyot Formation of Mongolia, living about 75 to 72 million years ago, in the Campanian age of the Late Cretaceous. As such it lived in a desert environment, amongst dunes and arid scrubland. It probably had a wingspan of about 30 centimeters, and a body length of 17 centimeters, making it in general the size of a partridge. It had a toothless bill that was broad and triangular, and it also was covered in keratin making it an actual beak. The beak was rounded at the end, indicating that it may have had a fairly specialized feeding strategy.
By Scott Reid on @drawingwithdinosaurs
Gobipteryx was probably flighted, having a long scapula on which muscles could attach, allowing it to fly readily. It was probably precocial, to the point of being able to fly immediately upon hatching, given that embryos of this species have very well developed forelimbs and shoulders. In addition, Gobipteryx growth slowed extensively upon hatching. This is a trait not really seen in modern birds, which can be able to feed themselves (ie, not atricial) but usually cannot fly immediately upon hatching. Whether or not this trait was common to all or even most Enantiornithines is difficult to say.
Sources:
Martyniuk, M. P. 2012. A Field Guide to Mesozoic Birds and other Winged Dinosaurs. Pan Aves; Vernon, New Jersey.
Shout out goes to @maviperuk!