Ornithosuchidae

Ornithosuchidae is an extinct family of pseudosuchian archosaurs that lived during the Late Triassic period. These animals were characterized by their bird-like hip structure, which is a key feature that distinguishes them from other reptiles. Ornithosuchids were bipedal and possessed a unique combination of reptilian and avian traits, leading to considerable debate about their exact evolutionary position.

The most well-known member of this family is Ornithosuchus itself, discovered in Scotland. Other genera include Venaticosuchus from Argentina and the enigmatic Stenaulorhynchus from Madagascar. These dinosaurs, despite their name, were not true dinosaurs but belonged to a group of archosaurs that were closely related to the ancestors of both dinosaurs and crocodiles.

Ornithosuchids were medium-sized predators, likely occupying a niche similar to that of early theropod dinosaurs. Their forelimbs were relatively short, suggesting that they were primarily bipedal, although some evidence suggests they may have been able to adopt a quadrupedal stance. Their skull possessed a long, narrow snout and sharp teeth, indicating a carnivorous diet. The distinctive hip structure, with an upward-pointing ilium and a specialized pubis, is a defining characteristic and the source of their familial name. The exact function and implications of this hip morphology are still a subject of scientific research. The Ornithosuchidae family represents an important branch in the early diversification of archosaurs before the rise of the dinosaurs.