Chongmingia zhengi

An Early Cretaceous avian from the Jehol Biota of China, Chongmingia zhengi represents a basal ornithuromorph bird with a distinctive sternum morphology suggesting powerful flight muscles. Named in honor of ornithologist Zheng Zuoxin, it provides insight into early flight apparatus evolution in the lineage leading to modern birds.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Chongmingia zhengi was a meat-eating predator. Carnivorous dinosaurs were active hunters or scavengers, equipped with sharp teeth and claws for catching and consuming prey. They occupied the top of the food chain in their ecosystems.

Time Period

Cretaceous Early Mesozoic Era

Chongmingia zhengi lived during the Cretaceous Early period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 145.0 to 100.5 million years ago.

The Cretaceous saw continued dinosaur evolution with the rise of ornithopods and early ceratopsians. Flowering plants first appeared and began to transform terrestrial ecosystems. Spinosaurus and other large theropods lived during this time.