Longicrusavis

Longicrusavis had very long legs compared to its arms, which helped it wade in water like a modern heron.1

Its fossil preserves carbonized traces of feathers, showing it had full plumage with visible colouration around the head and forelimbs.1

Longicrusavis had a long, fan-shaped tail that improved its flight, and scientists think it is one of the oldest birds with this type of tail.1

It belonged to a group called Hongshanornithidae, named after the Hongshan culture, one of China's oldest recorded cultures.1

Longicrusavis lived about 122 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period.1

The only known fossil of Longicrusavis is nearly complete and belongs to an adult individual.1