The –est Paleontology

Oldest known avian relative of today’s birds found in China

Fossils push branch of avian family tree back to 130 million years ago

ancient species of wading bird

WATER WADER  An ancient species of wading bird (illustrated) that lived about 130 million years ago is the oldest known avian relative of modern birds.

Zongda Zhang

By Meghan Rosen

- More than 2 years ago

Two partial skeletons unearthed in northeastern China have dashed the record for the oldest avian relatives of today’s birds.