Piscivoravis

Piscivoravis is one of only two early birds from the Jehol Biota that we know for sure ate fish. The other is Yanornis.1

The fossil of Piscivoravis shows fish bones in two places: a small cluster near the beak and a larger cluster in the belly. Scientists think the small cluster might be a pellet that the bird was about to cough up.1

This bird had a broad breastbone that was wider than it was long, which is unusual for early birds.1

Piscivoravis had large, strongly curved claws on its hands, which might have helped it catch fish.1

The name Piscivoravis comes from Latin and means 'fish-eating bird'.1

Piscivoravis lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 120 million years ago, in what is now northeastern China.1