A newly identified species of feathered dinosaur¹ is the largest ever discovered to have a well-preserved set of bird-like wings, research suggests. Palaeontologists working in China unearthed² the fossil remains³ of the winged dinosaur - a close cousin of Velociraptor, which was made famous by the Jurassic Park films. 

 

Researchers say its wings - which are very short compared with other dinosaurs⁴ in the same family - consisted of multiple layers of large feathers. They found that the species' feathers were complex structures made up of fine branches stemming from a central shaft⁵.

 

Although larger feathered dinosaurs have been identified before, none have possessed⁶ such complex wings made up of quill⁷ pen-like feathers, the team says. Scientists have known for some time that many species of dinosaur had feathers, but most of these were covered with simple filaments⁸ that looked more like hair than modern bird feathers. 

 

This latest discovery suggests that winged dinosaurs with larger and more complex feathers were more diverse than previously⁹ thought. 

 

The species belonged to a family of feathered carnivores that was widespread during the Cretaceous Period, and lived around 125 million years ago, the team says.

 

The near-complete skeleton of the animal - which is remarkably¹⁰ well preserved - was studied by scientists from the University of Edinburgh and the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. The fossil reveals dense¹¹ feathers covered the dinosaur's wings and tail. 

 

The newly discovered species - named Zhenyuanlong suni - grew to more than five feet in length. Despite having bird-like wings, it probably could not fly, at least not using the same type of powerful muscle-driven flight as modern birds, researchers say.

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