http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/article1089262.eceIn this photo provided by the journal Science is shown a nearly complete fossil skeleton of Gansus yumenensis. Dozens of fossils of an ancient loon-like creature that some say is the missing link in bird evolution have been found in China. Feathers (dark brown) are preserved associated with both wings. (AP / Science, Hai-lu You)
It swam like a duck, dived like a grebe, lived 110 million years ago and was the oldest known ancestor of all living birds.
Meet Gansus yumenensis, the earliest of the early birds, who survived the demise of the dinosaurs to establish today's avian line of flying, warm-blooded creatures.
Scientists have found five fossil specimens of Gansus which confirmed that the bird lived a semi-aquatic existence involving frequent underwater dives for food.
The well-preserved fossilised skeletons lack heads, but the bones possess features that are clearly suited for swimming and diving as well as take-off from the water's surface.
Some of the fossils are so perfect that it is possible to discern soft-tissue parts such as feathers and the delicate webbing between the toes of the birds' feet.
hmm...I wonder who ate the heads. Why does it look like a crab? :shrug: