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A field guide to mesozoic birds and other winged dinosaurs

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Liudian Luoyang Luoyanggia liudianensis<br />

Time: 96 Ma ago Location: Henan, China Habitat: Mangchuan Formation. Ecosystem<br />

dominated by freshwater lakes. Size: WS unknown; BL ~1.2m (4ft); TL unknown Features:<br />

Head long w/ broad, V-shaped beak & straight lower jaw. Internally, hip bone straight <strong>and</strong><br />

flat rather than concave. Biology: Very primitive & similar <strong>to</strong> caudipterids, except for the<br />

<strong>to</strong>othless beak. Probably generalist omnivores.<br />

Swift Small Hunter Microvena<strong>to</strong>r celer<br />

Time: 110 Ma ago Location: Montana, Oklahoma & Wyoming, USA Habitat: Cloverly<br />

Formation. Found in arid savannas dominated by ferns <strong>and</strong> low scrub <strong>and</strong> characterized<br />

by severe dry seasons. Size: WS >50cm (1.6ft); BL 85cm (2.8ft); TL unknown Features:<br />

Small <strong>to</strong>othless ovirap<strong>to</strong>rids somewhat similar in appearance <strong>to</strong> the earlier caudipterids.<br />

Snout short & deep w/ square, <strong>to</strong>othless beak on lower jaw. Wings short. Legs relatively<br />

short w/ long femur & tibia but short tarsus. Biology: Possibly omnivorous, feeding on<br />

<strong>to</strong>ugh plants & small vertebrates in their arid environment.<br />

Portentious Bird Mimic Avimimus porten<strong>to</strong>sus<br />

Time: 70 Ma ago Location: Omnogovi, Mongolia Habitat: Nemegt Formation. Well-watered<br />

but arid near-desert environment dominated by low scrub, lakes, <strong>and</strong> dry woodl<strong>and</strong>.<br />

Size: WS >35cm (1.1ft); BL 1m (3.3ft); TL unknown Features: Strange & highly advanced<br />

basal caenagnathiformes. Head small w/ conspicuous dome above eyes. Beak high<br />

& prominent, w/ serrated edges. Neck slender. Wings very small but well-developed. Flat,<br />

sharp ridge on ulna probably anchored significant display feathers when unfolded. Legs<br />

extremely long & slender. Biology: Bonebeds & trackways indicate this species was very<br />

common in the Nemegt marshl<strong>and</strong>s & highly gregarious, congregating near lakes & ponds<br />

in huge flocks. May have dabbled for waterplants & aquatic invertebrates.<br />

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