World of Dinosaurs/Confuciusornis

Basics Confuciusornis means "Confucius Bird". Confuciusornis lived during the Cretaceous Period. Anatomy Confuciusornis is about the size of a crow. Confuciusornis is an early bird, while also having some theropod traits. It is the oldest known bird to have a beak. center|thumb|508x508px|Note the beak. Phylogeny Confuciusornis is a theropod. All theropods are dinosaurs. All dinosaurs are amniotes and all dinosaurs are tetrapods. Biomechanics Confuciusornis is the first bird to have a beak. Its leg posture was also more crouched than previous theropods. Fossil Record It is found in some beautiful specimens in China. center|thumb|376x376px|This specimen is so well preserved that feathers are maintained. Ecology The area Confuciusornis lived was a cool climate. Reptiles such as crocodilians are not found. Trees were prevalent. Biogeography There were frequent volcanic eruptions during this time. There was also flooding at the time.