Flying on All Fours

Did the first birds have four wings? The answer may be yes. Archaeopteryx-the earliest-known bird-had wings like today's birds. But some scientists think that it had a bonus pair-legs that also acted as wings.

Archaeopteryx, a strange mix of dinosaur and bird, lived some 150 million years ago. It had claws and teeth; also feathers and wings. It even had feathers on its legs. For years, scientists thought the leg feathers were there only to keep the animal warm. Now they aren't so sure. By reexamining fossils of the creature, a scientist in Canada recently came up with a new theory. He believes Archaeopteryx used its feathered legs to fly better. These "winglets," or small wings, probably didn't flap, but they may have helped the animal glide and turn.

Not all scientists are convinced. More studies need to be done before we know whether Archaeopteryx really flew on four wings.

-Amy Tikkanen

Copyright Carus Publishing Company Apr 2007
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