ichthyornitheans

Ichthyornitheans are a group of extinct birds that lived during the Cretaceous period, approximately 125 to 66 million years ago. They are known for their unique combination of bird-like and dinosaur-like features, which has made them a subject of interest for paleontologists. Ichthyornitheans are characterized by their long, slender bodies, long tails, and strong, curved claws on their wings. They also had a unique beak structure, which is thought to have been used for catching fish.

The most well-known ichthyornithine is the genus Ichthyornis, which is known from several well-preserved fossils found in Europe and Asia. Ichthyornis had a long, slender body and a long, curved beak, which is thought to have been used for catching fish. It also had a long tail, which is thought to have been used for balance and maneuverability in the water.

Ichthyornitheans are thought to have been aquatic birds, similar to modern-day penguins and albatrosses. They are believed to have lived in coastal areas and to have fed on fish. Their unique combination of bird-like and dinosaur-like features has made them an important group for understanding the evolution of birds and the transition from dinosaurs to birds. Despite their unique features, ichthyornitheans are not considered to be direct ancestors of modern birds, but rather a separate line of evolution that diverged from the main line of bird evolution during the Cretaceous period.