Microraptor Characteristics

Microraptor was a small dinosaur and measured 2.5 feet (77 centimetres) in length and weighed 3 - 4 pounds. Like Archaeopteryx, it demonstrates the close evolutionary relationship between birds and dinosaurs, as it had long primitive, pennaceous (not downy) feathers on its limbs and body and had a diamond shaped fan on the end of its tail, possibly for added stability during flight. Microraptor had 2 sets of wings, on both its fore limbs and hind limbs. In addition to the long pennaceous feathers on arms and hands that measured between 10 and 20 centimetres long, legs and feet 11 - 15 centimetres long and towards the tail end, Microraptor was covered in shorter downy (plumulaceous) feathers measuring between 2 and 6 centimetres long. Many scientists now think that all basal avians had feathers on their hind legs and that they were used like the tail feathers of present birds, for maintaining balance and changing direction in the air.

Microraptor was an omnivore and ate insects as well as plant material with its tough beak.

scientists believe Microraptor was, at best, an occasional glider, much like a flying squirrel, and probably spent most of its time high up in the branches of trees.

Paleontologists in China have unearthed about two dozen more or less complete specimens of this tiny, feathered raptor complete with traces of internal organs and primitive feathers.

Microraptor was named by M. zhaoianus Xu et al., in 2000.