Early Bird: Fossil features hint at go-get-’em hatchlings

A fossilized bird embryo dating to 121 million years ago has features that suggest that the species’ young, unlike those of many modern birds, could walk about and feed themselves right after they hatched.

READY FOR ACTION. Well-ossified bones and other features of a fossil embryo (above) suggest that birds of this ancient species could move and feed independently soon after hatching.