Geologists have discovered fossilized footprints of bird-like tracks that are 210 million years old, predating the arrival of true birds by 60 million years. The footprints, found in Lesotho, resemble bird tracks with slender toes and a wider shape. The findings suggest that bird feet evolved much earlier than previously thought, challenging the understanding of the timing of bird evolution. The footprints could belong to the earliest known ancestor of modern birds or a dinosaur in the near-bird lineage, or they could be a case of convergent evolution. This discovery highlights the ongoing mysteries surrounding the evolution of birds and their reptilian ancestors.
Research suggests that early birds, who prefer to wake up early and go to bed at a decent time, may have health benefits such as increased physical activity, lower risk of depression, lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and a longer life. However, night owls have their own advantages, including creativity and mental alertness. The preference for a sleep schedule can be influenced by biological factors, habits, and external factors like work and family. While society tends to favor early birds, it is important to prioritize getting enough sleep, regardless of the preferred sleep schedule.
Analysis of a 120-million-year-old fossil skeleton of the early bird Jeholornis from China has revealed the oldest evidence of birds eating leaves, marking the earliest known evolution of arboreal plant-eating among birds. The pheasant-sized Jeholornis, a member of the second most primitive lineage of known birds, had teeth and a long bony tail but microscopic analysis of its stomach contents showed it had eaten leaves from magnoliid trees. This finding provides insight into the close ecological relationships between birds and flowering plants and suggests that the evolution of birds has been linked to flowering plants for over 100 million years.
