A fight between a raven-sized Microraptor and a Velociraptor might seem unfair, but the Velociraptor was much smaller than most people think. The Velociraptor was to a turkey. Still, it was bigger and faster than the Microraptor, but the tree dwelling Microraptor would’ve been almost impossible for the Velociraptor to even catch!
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Battle Facts about Microraptor vs. Velociraptor
| Name | Microraptor (Microraptor gui/zhaoianus) | Velociraptor (Velociraptor mongoliensis) |
| Size | 2.5-4 feet long with a 3-foot wingspan | 5-7 feet long, 2.5-3 feet tall |
| Speed | 20 mph in flight | 25 mph |
| Offense | Could glide from the treetops and swim | Pack hunter, quick and agile |
| Defense | Quick in flight, sharp teeth | Sharp claws to slash prey |
| Endurance and Behavior | Tree dweller that stayed out of harm’s way | Quick runner, clever |
You probably don’t think of the Velociraptor when you think of feathered dinosaurs, but quill knobs on fossils proved that the Velociraptor was indeed feathered.
Even with feathers and wings on its forelimbs, it couldn’t glide through the air like the Microraptor. Because it was stuck on the ground, the tinier Microraptor had an advantage in battle.
Were the Velociraptor and the Microraptor Related?
The Velociraptor and the Microraptor were pretty close relatives. Both came from the family Dromaeosauridae and shared common ancestors. Dromaeosaurs were non-avian dinosaurs that included several cool dinos:
- The Deinonychus
- The Dromaeosaurus
- The Dakotaraptor
- The Sinornithosaurus
- The Utahraptor
Did Modern Birds Evolve from Velociraptors and Microraptor?
Birds didn’t evolve directly from Velociraptor and Microraptor dinos but did come from the Theropod dinosaurs. The group Theropoda is divided into non-avian and avian dinosaurs. Dromaeosaurids like the Velociraptor and the Microraptor fall into the non-avian dinosaur group.
Birds are from the clade Avialae, which evolved separately from Dromaeosaurs. Many Avian dinosaurs (Paravians) look similar to the Velociraptor and the Microraptor. An Archaeopteryx and Anchiornis were two dinos resembling Velociraptors and Microraptor but were unrelated.
What was the Difference between the Two Dinosaurs?
Velociraptors and Microraptors had a lot more in common than you might think. You might even be shocked to hear that Velociraptor was a feathered dinosaur, too!
Even though they were similar, Velociraptors and Microraptors had quite a few different adaptations. The Velociraptor had feathered forelimbs that looked like wings. The Microraptor was a four-winged dinosaur with long flight feathers.
Since Microraptor’s hind limbs were covered with feathered wings, it was a horrible runner. But the Microraptor could climb trees and glide from the treetops. The Velociraptor was fast on its hind limbs but could neither fly nor climb.
Even though they lived in the same period, they were separated by millions of years and never met face to face. The Microraptor lived in the Early Cretaceous period. The Velociraptor lived in the Late Cretaceous period.
What did the Microraptor and the Velociraptor have in Common?
Microraptor and Velociraptor dinos were both carnivores. They both lived in China and Mongolia during the Cretaceous period. An Archaeornithoides, a Protoceratops, a Psittacosaurus, and a Troodon called Mei Long also lived in this area.
Who Would Win the Battle Between Microraptor vs. Velociraptor?
The Velociraptor might have been faster, stronger, and bigger, but that didn’t mean it was always the winner. The Microraptor rarely left the trees, gliding from branch to branch instead of running. This was unexpected since most Theropod dinosaurs ran on two legs, like a T-rex and an Allosaurus.
If the Velociraptor could catch the Microraptor, then it would win easily. But catching the Microraptor was a lot like trying to catch a bird. Unless the Velociraptor ambushed it while it was on the ground or getting water, the Microraptor was safe.
Even though they had common ancestors, Velociraptors and Microraptor had completely different adaptations. It’s hard to believe these tiny Theropods could possibly come from the same group as the giant Tyrannosaurus rex and even a Spinosaurus. Even harder to believe that the sweet little songbird in your backyard is a living dino!