@WFS,World Fossil Society,Riffin T Sajeev,Russel T Sajeev

                                             Image courtesy: University of Manchester

A tiny fossil of a prehistoric baby bird dating back to the Mesozoic Era (250-65 million years ago) has been discovered by scientists, which they feel can help them understand how early avians came into the world in the age of dinosaurs.

According to researchers at the University of Manchester in the UK, the fossil is a chick from a group of prehistoric birds called Enantiornithes.

Measuring less than five centimeters – smaller than the little finger on an average human hand – the specimen is amongst the smallest known Mesozoic avian fossils ever discovered. It is made up of a nearly complete skeleton and would have weighed just three ounces when it was alive.

What makes this fossil so important and unique is the fact it died not long after its birth, researchers said. This is a critical stage in a bird’s skeletal formation. That means this bird’s extremely short life has given researchers a rare chance to analyze the species’ bone structure and development.

Source : https://zeenews.india.com.

@WFS,World Fossil Society,Riffin T Sajeev,Russel T Sajeev