GoKawiilFossil study finds some Jurassic-era birds had lost the ability to fly
Researchers analyzing fossil evidence from the Jurassic period report that certain early bird species showed skeletal features consistent with flightlessness. This suggests loss of flight occurred much earlier in avian evolution than previously documented, closer to the origin of birds themselves.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The finding could reshape assumptions that flightlessness in birds was a rare, later adaptation, suggesting instead that it arose repeatedly and early in avian evolutionary history. It may prompt paleontologists to re-examine other Jurassic and Cretaceous fossils for similar overlooked traits.
- Some Jurassic birds appear to have been flightless based on fossil skeletal analysis
- Flightlessness may have emerged earlier in bird evolution than previously thought
- Finding could prompt reassessment of other early bird fossils for similar traits
Source: nature.com — Novas, 2026-10-14
Published there as: “Some Jurassic period birds were flightless”
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