University of Alberta researchers found evidence that a feathered, but flightless dinosaur¹ was able to snag（抓住机会） and consume small flying dinosaurs². The U of A paleontology team found the fossilized remains³ of three flying dinosaurs in the belly⁴ of a raptor-like predator⁵ called Sinocalliopteryx. Sinocalliopteryx was about two meters in length and roughly the size of a modern-day wolf.

 

Sinocalliopteryx's flying meals were three Confuciusornis. Confuciusornis was one of the earliest birds and had a crude version of a modern bird's skeleton and muscles. The researchers say such primitive⁶ birds were probably limited to slow take-offs and short flights.

 

According to the researchers, this is the first time a predator has been linked to the killing⁷ of multiple flying dinosaurs.

 

Scott Persons, a U of A paleontology student and research coauthor, says Sinocalliopteryx may have used stealth to stock the flyers. "Sinocalliopteryx didn't have wings or the physical tools needed to be an adept⁸ tree climber," said Persons.

 

Persons explains Sinocalliopteryx had feathers or hair-like fuzz covering its body creating a level of insulation⁹ that helped maintain a warm body temperature and high metabolism¹⁰（新陈代谢） that required a lot of food to fuel.

 

"The fact that this Sinocalliopteryx had, not one, but three undigested birds in its stomach indicate it was a voracious¹¹（贪婪的） eater and a very active hunter," said Persons.

 

This find was made in China's Liaoning province, and U of A researchers analyzed¹² stomach contents of a second Sinocalliopteryx fossil discovery from that area. The researchers identified this Sinocalliopteryx's last meal as a Sinornithosaurus, a small feathered meat-eater about the size of a house cat that may have been able to fly or glide¹³ short distances.

 

"Sinornithosaurus is a relative of Velociraptor which means this is the first direct evidence of a raptor becoming another predatory dinosaur's meal," said Persons.

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