Feitianius

Feitianius had a tail with three different types of feathers, while most other early birds had only one type.1

The longest tail feathers were probably used for display, like the fancy tails of modern birds-of-paradise.1

Scientists think the fossil is a male because male birds today often have more colorful or elaborate tails.1

Feitianius lived about 121 to 113 million years ago, during the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous.2

Its thighbone was only 27 millimeters long, so it was a very small bird.1

The fossil was found in the Xiagou Formation in Gansu, China.1