The Microraptor was a small, meat-eating theropod that lived in the Early Cretaceous era, almost 125 million years ago. Weighing in at only 2 pounds, it was one of the smallest non-avian creatures to glide through the skies on planet Earth.
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Some Quick Facts about the Microraptor
| Name | Microraptor (means “small thief”) |
| Type of dinosaur | Theropoda |
| Territory | Forests and grasslands, Liaoning, China |
| Size | Small, 2.5-4 feet long |
| Color | Likely bluish |
| Interesting Characteristics | Feathered, two wings on its hind legs |
| Diet | Fish, mammals, and smaller dinosaurs |
| Major Threats | Larger theropods, natural disasters |
Did you know the Microraptor (not to be mistaken for Microceratus) was one of the smallest raptors? As a cousin to the more famous Velociraptor, some paleontologists believe this four-winged dinosaur was a prehistoric ancestor to modern birds.
Did the Microraptor Fly or Glide?
The Microraptor was unique because it had feathers and wings on its hind legs. With four wings, it must have been an expert flier, right? Not exactly.
The Microraptor was a gliding dino. While it couldn’t take off from the ground (like modern birds), this four-winged dinosaur was an expert at gliding from branch to branch in the treetops, similar to the Anchiornis.
It has many characteristics of modern birds, like a wishbone, flight feathers, and hollow bones like its avian cousins.
What was the Difference Between an Archaeopteryx and a Microraptor?
While the Archaeopteryx and Microraptor were both feathered and winged theropods, there are quite a few differences.
First, the Archaeopteryx was much older than the Microraptor. It lived during the late Jurassic period, almost 150 million years ago, and the Microraptor lived during the Cretaceous, about 125 million years ago. They also lived in very different parts of the world. The Archaeopteryx lived in tropical climates in Germany, while the Microraptor lived in Northeastern China.
The biggest difference between these two birds was their flying ability. The Archaeopteryx may have only had two wings (while the Microraptor had four), but it was a much better flier. It had the ability to take flight from the ground, while the Microraptor could only glide from tree branch to branch.
Was the Microraptor the Smallest Dinosaur?
While this feathered dinosaur originally earned the title of smallest dinosaur, this changed with the discovery of Oculudentavis khaungraae in 2020.
The Microraptor was still the smallest raptor and non-avian dinosaur. It weighed just over 2 pounds, about as much as a carton of milk. It measured between 2-3 feet long and had a wing span of about 3 feet. That’s smaller than a modern heron.
The Oculudentavis khaungraae, on the other hand, was about the size of a hummingbird!
Was a Microraptor Related to a Velociraptor?
It should come as no surprise that the Microraptor was related to its more famous descendant: the Velociraptor.
While the Velociraptor was portrayed in movies like Jurassic Park as scaley, featherless predators, they actually had feathers just like the Microraptor!
The Microraptor’s location on the raptor family tree is still debated. Some paleontologists believe the Microraptor evolved into a ground-dwelling predator over a million years. Others think the Microraptor and Velociraptor are more like distant cousins on the same family tree.
When was the Microraptor Discovered?
Fossil evidence of the Microraptor was unearthed by famous paleontologist Xu Xing in 2000 in Jehol Biota.
Much of what we know about birdlike dinosaurs comes from the amazing discoveries of Xu Xing, and the Microraptor was one of his greatest finds. By studying the fossil remains, paleontologists could determine the wingspan and color of the feathers.
Paleontologists studied the Microraptor specimens under a microscope. By examining the melanosomes (or pigment cells), they understood the evolution of iridescent plumage. The cells of the Microraptor fossil determined that this Mesozoic dino was glossy black, very similar to modern birds like Common Grackles. Pretty neat!
Is the Microraptor Related to Modern Birds?
It’s hard to imagine that small, innocent birds were once scary theropods like the T. rex, Dromaeosaurs, or even the Microraptor, but some paleontologists believe it’s true.
These early birds had many traits as those singing outside your window, like hollow bones and feathers. And they lived in similar ecosystems to birds today.
However, the case for the Microraptor evolving into a bird is a little murky. While paleontologists understand that birds came from raptors, it’s possible that the Microraptor family line died out when they went extinct. Besides, how many birds do you know that have four wings?