Oldest ancestor of modern birds found in China

[WhiteTara]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/article1089262.ece

In this photo provided by the journal Science is shown a nearly complete fossil skeleton of Gansus yumenensis. Dozens of fossils of an ancient loon-like creature that some say is the missing link in bird evolution have been found in China. Feathers (dark brown) are preserved associated with both wings. (AP / Science, Hai-lu You)

It swam like a duck, dived like a grebe, lived 110 million years ago and was the oldest known ancestor of all living birds.

Meet Gansus yumenensis, the earliest of the early birds, who survived the demise of the dinosaurs to establish today's avian line of flying, warm-blooded creatures.

Scientists have found five fossil specimens of Gansus which confirmed that the bird lived a semi-aquatic existence involving frequent underwater dives for food.

The well-preserved fossilised skeletons lack heads, but the bones possess features that are clearly suited for swimming and diving as well as take-off from the water's surface.

Some of the fossils are so perfect that it is possible to discern soft-tissue parts such as feathers and the delicate webbing between the toes of the birds' feet.

hmm...I wonder who ate the heads. Why does it look like a crab? :shrug:

[pitohui]

1. could it walk, some grebes can't

even some loons cannot, some years ago we had a loon land on a highway here in louisiana instead of the lake where they migrate for winter, a rescue volunteer had to catch the loon and put it in the water, well not too hard to catch since it couldn't walk or get up any lift to fly back into the air, but still a pretty big fishy smelling bird that had to be picked up! it was okay tho

true story, perhaps the highway was glistening in the rain or something that caused the loon to think it was water

as for heads, rats eat bird heads, so do raccoons

[Warren DeMontague]

2. Lies! Pernicious science witchery!

110 Million Years? There's no such thing! Try 6,000!

Satan has ye grasped in his deceitful claws, there, sinner. Trrrrrread carefully.

[rucky]

3. God made this fossil to test your faith.

You have chosen wisely.