Yuanjiawaornis viriosus

† Yuanjiawaornis viriosus is an Early Cretaceous enantiornithine bird from the Yixian Formation of China, known from a well-preserved specimen. Its anatomy contributes to resolving relationships among the diverse enantiornithines of the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Yuanjiawaornis viriosus 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

Yuanjiawaornis viriosus 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.