Ancient Bird-Like Footprints Puzzle Scientists

Mysterious bird-like footprints found in Africa, dating back 210 million years, predate the existence of birds by 60 million years. Researchers from the University of Cape Town identified two distinct morphotypes of footprints, one resembling those made by birds and the other a closer match for modern-day birds. These footprints provide evidence that dinosaurs may have exhibited bird-like traits much earlier than previously thought. The exact identity of the creature that left these footprints remains unknown, but it is believed to be a three-toed archosaur, a branch of the evolutionary tree that includes birds and crocodiles. The study sheds light on the ancient diversity and evolutionary trends of birds.