Ornithocheirus was a large ornithocheirid pterosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous Period, approximately 130–100 million years ago. It was discovered mainly from fossils found in England, with additional remains reported from other parts of Europe and South America.
Despite often being grouped with dinosaurs, Ornithocheirus was not a dinosaur but a flying reptile that lived alongside them. It had a long, narrow skull with a pointed snout and sharp teeth that were adapted for catching fish. Its jaws contained a combination of large and small teeth, allowing it to grip slippery prey.
Ornithocheirus had long, powerful wings supported by an elongated fourth finger, giving it excellent soaring abilities. Estimates of its wingspan vary, with most modern estimates suggesting it reached around 4–6 meters (13–20 feet), although older estimates suggested larger sizes.
It likely lived near coastal environments and used ocean winds to glide over large distances while searching for fish. Its lightweight body, hollow bones, and large wings made it an efficient flyer, similar to modern seabirds.
Ornithocheirus
Ornithocheirus was a large flying pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous known for its long wings, toothed jaws, and fish-eating lifestyle.
