Winged creature that lived in China 120 million years ago ‘had dinosaur’s head and bird’s body’

A bizarre creature that lived in China 120 million years ago had a dinosaur's head and a bird's body, scientists believe.

Named Cratonavis Zhui, the chicken-sized hybrid had long shoulder blades, or scapulas, and claws.

Its large skull was shaped in an almost identical way to that of T Rex and other meat-eating theropods.

The discovery fills in some of the gaps as to how some dinosaurs evolved into birds.

Co-author Dr Zhou Zhonghe said: "The abnormal anatomy preserved in the fossil highlights the breadth of skeletal plasticity in early birds."

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