Aviraptor

A-ve-rap-tor.
Published on

John Stewart

Paleoecologist

John Stewart is a distinguished paleoecologist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems. With over two decades dedicated to unearthing fossils across Asia and Africa

Cite Feedback Print

Name

Aviraptor ‭(‬bird thief‭)‬.

Phonetic

A-ve-rap-tor.

Named By

Gerald Mayr‭ & ‬J�rn H.Hurum‭ ‬-‭ ‬2020.

Classification

Chordata,‭ ‬Aves,‭ ‬Accipitriformes,‭ ‬Accipitridae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

A.‭ ‬vlongicrus‭

Size

Uncertain but noted to be comparable to some of the smallest hawks alive today.

Known locations

Poland.

Time Period

Oligocene.

Fossil representation

Partially preserved but almost complete individual.

In Depth

       Aviraptor is a genus of hawk that lived in‭ ‬Eastern Europe during the Oligocene period.‭ ‬Aviraptor is one of the smallest fossil hawks discovered being approximately comparable to the modern day little sparrowhawk‭ (‬Accipiter minullus‭)‬,‭ ‬and the Tiny hawk‭ (‬Accipiter superciliosus‭)‬.‭ ‬As a small hawk,‭ ‬Aviraptor would have primarily been a predator of small birds,‭ ‬though other small creature such as bats,‭ ‬lizards and rodents may have also been hunted.‭ ‬This is certainly true at least for modern day hawks of similar size and build to Aviraptor.

Further Reading

-‭ ‬A tiny,‭ ‬long-legged raptor from the early Oligocene of Poland may be the earliest bird-eating diurnal bird of prey‭”‬.‭ ‬The Science of Nature.‭ ‬107‭ (‬6‭)‬:‭ ‬48.‭ ‬-‭ ‬Gerald Mayr‭ & ‬J�rn H.Hurum‭ ‬-‭ ‬2020.

Adopt A Species
prehistoric-wildlife new logo

Love this species?

Adopt it today!

(UPDATED!)

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

ophthalmosaurus illustration
Stegosaurus