New find sheds light on dinosaur flight

Fossils of the largest dinosaur capable of flight have been discovered in China, according to a new study.  The 1.2-metre-long raptor named Changyuraptor yangi, was covered with plumage, including 30-centimetre-long tail feathers. This discovery shows this 125-million-year-old raptor was flying long before birds split off from dinosaurs.

A new dinosaur fossil with extremely long feathers boosts a theory that flight was common among the types of dinosaurs that later evolved into birds.  The flying predator, or raptor, had a long, feathered tail that was crucial for lowering descent speed and assuring safe landings.