World's oldest bird fossils

Five beautifully preserved headless fossil skeletons discovered in China suggest modern birds evolved from aquatic duck-like ancestors.

These are propably the World's oldest bird fossils. Several of the specimens are so exquisitely preserved that the remains of feathers and even webbing in the foot can be seen clearly.

In the Pteroducktyl - the missing link, Ornithuran fossils "are relatively rare in the Cretaceous, which is part of what makes Gansus so exciting", said a co-author, Dr Matthew Lamanna of Carnegie Museum of Natural History.