Dromeosauridae

Dromaeosauridae, commonly called dromaeosaurs, is a family of small to medium-sized theropod dinosaurs within the clade Paraves. They lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, from about 160 to 70 million years ago, and are known from fossils across Asia, North America, and Europe. The group is characterized by an agile build, a long, sickle-shaped claw on the second toe, grasping forelimbs with relatively large hands, and evidence of feathers in many genera.

Notable members include Velociraptor, Deinonychus, Dromaeosaurus, Microraptor, and Utahraptor. These dinosaurs were typically small to medium-sized predators; some species weighed only a few kilograms, while others like Utahraptor were larger. Feathers are known in multiple species, and fossil impressions show tail and body coverings.

Anatomy and lifestyle suggest they were agile, active predators capable of pursuing diverse prey. The enlarged sickle claw is interpreted as a weapon for grasping prey or aiding climbing. Their brains and senses appear relatively advanced for theropods, supporting swift, coordinated movement and keen perception. The extent of social behavior is debated; some nests and eggs indicate parental care, but evidence for coordinated pack hunting remains inconclusive.

Phylogenetically, dromaeosaurs form a clade within Dromaeosauridae, part of the larger group Paraves that also includes birds and troodontids. Many analyses place dromaeosaurids as close relatives of birds, highlighting evolutionary links between non-avian dinosaurs and modern birds and shedding light on the evolution of feathers, flight-related adaptations, and predatory strategies.