Archaeopteryx Facts
Archaeopteryx or “First bird” even though it wasn’t quite was a small theropod dinosaur that lived in the Jurassic period in waht is now Germany. At the time is was small islands and shallow lagoons and shared its habitat with the equally small compsognathus. It was one of the first dinosaurs to be known to both fly and have feathers and that makes it pretty special in our book!
We have 25 or so facts about the Archaeopteryx below, and if you are in a rush at the top there are quick facts about Archaeopteryx right below this.
Archaeopteryx Quick Facts
- Archaeopteryx was a bird like theropod maniraptoran dinosaur that was small at about 1.5 feet or 0.5 metres long
- Archaeopteryx was about 1 kg as a maximum weight. it had to be light as it was a flying ( of sorts) dinosaur.
- Archaeopteryx was a theropod and when on the ground would have walked on two legs.
- Archaeopteryx did have feathers, and possessed full plumage. it had well developed flight feathers.
- Archaeopteryx lived in what is now Europe. At the time it was dry and plants were suited to more arid conditions.
- Archaeopteryx was a carnivore, or thought to be. it has sharp teeth and curved claws indicating a predatory lifestyle.
- Archaeopteryx went extinct in the Late jurassic around 148 million years ago
- With its large number of vowels Archaeopteryx is actually really difficult to work out how to pronounced. it has 5 syllables and is pronounced like this Ark – ee – op – ter – rix
How big was the Archaeopteryx?
Archaeopteryx was a bird like theropod maniraptoran dinosaur that was small at about 1.5 feet or 0.5 metres long and could weigh about 800 grams to 1 kg ( about 1 to 2 lbs). There are a few different species although the exact number is up for debate and often contested. However, although not the smallest, it was certainly one of the smallest dinosaurs.
How heavy was the Archaeopteryx?
Archaeopteryx was about 1 kg as a maximum weight. it had to be light as it was a flying ( of sorts) dinosaur. Although not the smallest it certainly wasn’t the largest of the bird like theropods.
Like other dinosaurs and especially those that were developing flight tis bones were much lighter than other animals comparatively.
How long was the Archaeopteryx?
Archaeopteryx was a small dinosaur that would measure up to 50 cms in length, and smaller depends on species or growth stage. However it is rare and unlikely they grew to over 2 feet. They were about the length and size of a modern day raven.
Did The Archaeopteryx Walk on 2 or 4 legs?
Although Flying reptiles like pterosaurs would use their wings to walk on in a folded up position when on the ground this was not the case with Archaeopteryx. Archaeopteryx was a theropod and when on the ground would have walked on two legs.
It was also one of the few dinosaurs that had flight abilities although these abilities were not as developed as modern day birds.
Did Archaeopteryx have feathers?
Archaeopteryx did have feathers, and possessed full plumage. it had well developed flight feathers. It was feathered with those flight feathers on the wings, full body plumage and leg feathers as well.
however there is no fossilized proof of feathers on the neck and head, however with the fossilization process not always fossilizing all aspects of the dinosaur it maybe that it didn’t have them but there is no way as of yet to know for sure.
It has also, in recent years, been possible to research the color of the Archaeopteryx. Which we have more details on here. it was very likely (95%) black in color. this makes sense ( but does not mean the whole dinosaur was black) Black Melanosomes also are stronger for flight.
What was Archaeopteryx Habitat?
Archaeopteryx lived in what is now Europe. At the time it was dry and plants were suited to more arid conditions. There were cycads and conifers and there were also compsognathus and pterosaurs at the time.
The fossils found are thought to have lived on islands ( like compsognathus) in what is now Germany, The area and environment was thought to have consisted of islands and shallow seas and lagoons and there was not much competition from larger dinosaurs.
What Did Archaeopteryx eat?
Archaeopteryx was a carnivore, or thought to be. it has sharp teeth and curved claws indicating a predatory lifestyle. They likely hunted on the ground and in the shrubs that covered the area and possibly even next to the coast of the islands.
it would have likely preyed on smaller reptiles and insects.
What dinosaurs did Archaeopteryx live with?
As mentioned above there area at the time was not hugely populated with dinosaurs. As we mention in the compsognathus article, they were likely the apex predator of their area and time even though they were tiny.
There were also pterosaurs like Pterodactyl and Rhamphorhynchus.
What Dinosaurs Were Archaeopteryx related to?
Archaeopteryx was one of the first bird like dinosaurs (though not the first) and has an extensive family tree. The more famous dinosaurs in this group include the following.
- Xiaotingia
- Yixianosaurus
- Serikornis
- Caihong
- Anchiornis
Did Archaeopteryx live in Packs.
There is no evidence that Archaeopteryx lived in groups, so as of yet there is no definitive answer. Nest sites have not been found so it is also unknown if they were attentive parents as well. These dinosaurs may have been the size of a raven but there is no evidence they flocked together like them.
How Fast Could the Archaeopteryx Fly?
As we mention in our flying dinosaurs article it is thought that Archaeopteryx was capable of flight, one of the few powered flight capable dinosaurs discovered. However its ability was considerably more limited when compared to most modern birds.
It was thought to fly similar way to a modern day pheasant, short erratic flights to avoid danger or surprise prey, so given that it would not be quite as fast as a pheasant estimates range from 30 to 40 miles an hour for short bursts.
Did Archaeopteryx lay eggs?
Although Archaeopteryx nests or eggs have not been discovered it was part of the maniraptoran family and seeing as they as well as all other dinosaurs laid eggs it is a safe assumption that Archaeopteryx did also.
What Movies Have Featured a Archaeopteryx?
Archaeopteryx despite being famous for one of the first feathered dinosaurs, one of th efew flying dinosaurs and one of the first species of the bird like dinosaurs has appeared in very few dinosaurs.
Movies it has appeared in include :
- Ice Age 3 though a brief appearance.
- Fantasia
- Land Before time 12
- Sky Monsters
When Did the Archaeopteryx become Extinct?
Archaeopteryx went extinct in the Late jurassic around 148 million years ago. It was likely out competed by other dinosaurs. There were feathered, flight capable, birds both prior to it and after it, so the family continued after the species went extinct.
Could the Archaeopteryx Fly?
Archaeopteryx certainly could fly and it was one of the few dinosaurs capable of powered flight, however it is not thought to be a great flier. It would have been capable of short flights to evade predators rather than travel long distances. We mention above that is could probably fly at medium speeds and not as well as modern day birds.
What does the name Archaeopteryx Mean?
Archaeopteryx nae means “old Wing” it also has a german name Urvogel ( which means original or first bird.) it comes from Ancient Greek. You can read about more dinosaur name meanings here.
We have coloring pages to download from the below link ( click the picture)
Was Archaeopteryx The Oldest Bird Dinosaur?
Archaeopteryx was though for a lot of years to be the oldest member of the bird type dinosaurs. (Avialae) However in the last 20 years or so there have been older bird like dinosaurs found including Anchiornis, and Aurornis.
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Where were Archaeopteryx Fossils discovered?
Most fossils of Archaeopteryx have been discovered in Germany. They were discovered in limestone quarries near Solnhofen, in Germany.
Other similar dinosaurs have been unearthed in huge numbers in China in the 30 years.
When did Archaeopteryx Live?
Archaeopteryx lived in what is now Northern Europe especially Germany. At the time is was a very different environment and consisted of mainly islands and shallow lagoons. It lived about 148 to 150 million years ago during the Jurassic Period.
When was Archaeopteryx first Discovered?
although 12 relatively full fossils of Archaeopteryx have been found in Germany the first discovery was 1860 and described by Herman Von meyer and fossils have been discovered in the years since then.
Who named the Archaeopteryx?
Archaeopteryx was named in 1861 by hermann Von Meyer. The fossil is currently at the Natural History museum in Berlin. however although the species name remains the same there are a few sciefitic names of the different discoveries.
How to Pronounce Archaeopteryx?
With its large number of vowels Archaeopteryx is actually really difficult to work out how to pronounced. it has 5 syllables and is pronounced like this
Ark – ee – op – ter – rix
Conclusion
Archaeopteryx was a special dinosaur despite its size, one of the first feathered dinosaurs, on of the first ( known) dinosaurs capable of flight. Hopefully out dinosaur facts sheet is useful and ….
Don’t forget to look over the rest of our dinosaur facts pages, our coloring and facts sheets are also free to download. We have popular dinosaurs Like triceratops, gallimimus and parasaurolophus to some less well known ones that are appearing in the new Jurassic World dominion movies.
There are answers to common dinosaur questions, and loads of other cool dinosaur activities and resources to look at. Just check them out on the big button below.
References
- https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-43386262
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/first-known-dinosaur-feather-inspired-dispute-archaeopteryx
- https://www.imdb.com/search/keyword/?keywords=archaeopteryx
Hi, I am Roy Ford a General Studies and English Teacher who has taught all over the world. What started as a fossil collection became a great way to teach, motivate and inspire students of all ages and all over the world about dinosaurs and from that and children’s love of dinosaurs came the site dinosaur facts for kids, a resource for all ages.
