1. Archaeopteryx
Archaeopteryx, meaning "old wing", is a genus of bird-like dinosaurs that is transitional
between non-avian feathered dinosaurs and modern birds.
With its blend of avian and reptilian features, it was long viewed as the earliest known
bird.
Discovered in 1860 in Germany, it's sometimes referred to as Urvogel, the German word
for "original bird" or "first bird."
Archaeopteryx lived around 150 million years ago, during the early Tithonian stage in the
late Jurassic Period
Archaeopteryx is a combination of two ancient Greek words: archaīos, meaning
"ancient," and ptéryx, meaning "feather" or "wing."
Archaeopteryx had more in common with other small Mesozoic dinosaurs than with
modern birds.
Archaeopteryx Possible link between birds and reptiles and exhibits following
features:
Reptilian characters -Large skull, reptile like teeth Bones solid Claws on fore limbs, Long
tail
Bird Characters.-Strong legs & rounded wings for gliding Feathers, Furculum - fused
collarbone or wishbone