Confuciusornis sanctus #200 Protoceratops The type species is A

The type species is A

and the orbits were relatively small

The specific name honoured the late Makela

Endocasts can also form naturally

Confuciusornis sanctus #200 Protoceratops The type species is AConfuciusornis sanctus ("the sacred bird of Confucius") is the earliest known beaked bird. Discovered in 1994, Confuciusornis represents an important side branch in avian evolution. Though Confuciusornis and its descendants all became extinct, it is the earliest known bird to abandon its reptilian teeth in favor of a light weight keratin beak. Remains of Confuciusornis are found at an Early Cretacaeous fossil site known as Sihetun in the Liaoning