Microraptor

Filed under Cretaceous dinosaurs · Types of Dinosaurs editorial team

Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Theropoda · Infraorder: Dromaeosauridae · Family: Dromaeosauridae

Microraptor, whose name means "small thief," was a tiny carnivorous dinosaur that inhabited the Early Cretaceous. This member of the Dromaeosauridae family measured between 2.5 and 4 feet in length, making it one of the smallest known theropods. Microraptor was covered in feathers and possessed a remarkable anatomical feature: long flight-like feathers extended from both its arms and its legs, creating what paleontologists often describe as four wings. This unusual arrangement distinguishes it from modern birds and most other theropods.

The fossil evidence for Microraptor comes primarily from well-preserved specimens discovered in Early Cretaceous deposits in China. Some of these fossils reveal tantalizing details about the animal's appearance, including hints of glossy black plumage. The four-winged structure and feather configuration suggest that Microraptor was capable of gliding or executing controlled flight, likely maneuvering between trees rather than engaging in sustained powered flight.

Microraptor holds significant importance in understanding dinosaur evolution. Its anatomy demonstrates the close evolutionary relationship between small predatory dinosaurs and modern birds, and it provides direct fossil evidence of early experiments with flight among feathered theropods. The extensive collection of specimens has allowed paleontologists to study variation and anatomy in detail, making Microraptor a cornerstone species in discussions of dinosaur-bird transitions and the origins of flight.

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Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.

Related dinosaurs

Other dinosaurs from the Dromaeosauridae family.