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233 / Mesozoic
Confuciusornis
Confuciusornis sanctus
A toothless beak, clawed wings and—in some individuals—two long ribbon-like tail feathers appeared together.
- Time range
- About 125–120 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Cretaceous
- Geographic range
- Volcanic lake forests · Northeastern China
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Confuciusornis?
Confuciusornis (Confuciusornis sanctus) was an extinct organism known from About 125–120 million years ago, with a range in Volcanic lake forests · Northeastern China.
Life and ecology
Confuciusornis could fly, though its shoulder and wing still differed from modern birds. Long tail feathers may have signaled sex or maturity.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Confuciusornis disappear?
Early bird flight, diet and tail anatomy changed quickly, leaving the confuciusornithid branch extinct.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Confuciusornis?
Hundreds of fossils preserve feathers, beaks, wing claws and soft tissues; melanosomes and cellular traces refine reconstruction.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS