News Paleontology

Early birds could achieve liftoff

Gliding from trees wasn’t necessary for flight evolution, analysis suggests

Microraptor

UP, UP AND AWAY  The four-winged dinosaur Microraptor (illustrated) could launch itself into the air and didn’t need to glide from tree to tree, a new fossil analysis suggests.

Durbed/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

By Meghan Rosen

- More than 2 years ago

SALT LAKE CITY — Flying dinosaurs took off from the ground — no leap from the trees required.