Caudipteryx

dinosaur · feathered · early cretaceous · bird-like

Tiny feathered dinosaur. Caudipteryx was a small oviraptorosaurian dinosaur that lived in China about 124.6 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. It was completely covered in feathers, making it look remarkably similar to modern birds.

Built for speed. With its stout trunk, long legs, and lightweight frame, Caudipteryx was probably a swift runner that could dart quickly across the landscape hunting for prey or escaping danger.

Changed dinosaur science. When Caudipteryx was discovered in 1998, it was so bird-like that some paleontologists actually argued it might be a bird rather than a dinosaur, sparking intense debate about how dinosaurs and modern birds are related.

Two species found. Scientists have identified two different species of Caudipteryx: C. zoui discovered in 1998 and C. dongi discovered in 2000, both from the same region in ancient China.