Musivavis

Musivavis is known from a single, nearly complete skeleton that is beautifully preserved on one slab of rock.2

It was much smaller than its closest relatives, the bohaiornithids, which were large-bodied enantiornithine birds.2

Its name comes from Latin words meaning 'mosaic' and 'bird', because it has a mix of features from different bird groups.2

Musivavis lived about 122 to 119 million years ago during the Aptian age of the Early Cretaceous.1

It had a furcula (wishbone) with a very deep groove and a sharp keel running along its entire underside.2

The specimen was a young adult, but scientists think it was almost full size when it died.2