150 Million-Year-Old <em>Archaeopteryx</em> Likely Took Flight the Same Way Crows Do Today
Learn more about Archaeopteryx and the evidence that shows how it likely took to the skies 150 million years ago.
The ancient bird Archaeopteryx, which lived 150 million years ago, likely took flight in the same manner as modern crows, seagulls, and magpies, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed a 150-million-year-old reptile-like bird and found that Archaeopteryx's legs generated most of the force required for take-off, while its wings helped propel it into the air.
The study, published in Developmental Biology, combined advanced computer models, observations of living birds, and Archaeopteryx's anatomy to estimate its take-off velocity. The findings show that a 400g Archaeopteryx could achieve a sustainable flight speed of seven meters per second with three bipedal leaps or two leaps and a downward flap between jumps. This multi-hop takeoff method is similar to the way modern birds take off today.
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