Archaeopteryx Fossil Reveals Clues About Early Bird Evolution

Scientists uncover hidden oral papillae feature in ancient fossil, shedding light on the development of avian digestive systems.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:57am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly structured abstract painting in soft, earthy tones, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex digestive system of early avian species.A conceptual illustration depicting the intricate digestive adaptations that enabled early birds to support the energy demands of flight.Chicago Today

In a groundbreaking discovery at the Field Museum in Chicago, scientists have revealed a previously unseen feature inside the skull of an Archaeopteryx fossil - tiny oral papillae that provide insights into the evolution of early flying birds. The find, made possible through meticulous fossil preparation and advanced UV light technology, suggests Archaeopteryx had a specialized digestive system to support the energy demands of flight.

Why it matters

This discovery marks the oldest oral papillae found in the fossil record, indicating early birds were on the path to developing the highly efficient digestive systems seen in modern avian species. As birds evolved from dinosaurs, adaptations to support powered flight became crucial, and the efficiency of their feeding habits played a key role in this evolutionary transition.

The details

The Archaeopteryx fossil, encased in limestone, arrived at the Field Museum in 2022. Led by Akiko Shinya and her team, a meticulous fossil preparation process using UV light revealed soft tissues like feathers and skin, as well as the surprising presence of oral papillae - fleshy cones lining the roof of the mouth that guide food to the throat and prevent choking. This discovery suggests Archaeopteryx had a specialized digestive system to meet the energy demands of flight, a key adaptation as birds evolved from their dinosaur ancestors.

  • The Archaeopteryx fossil arrived at the Field Museum in 2022.
  • The fossil preparation process took over a year to complete.

The players

Akiko Shinya

The lead researcher on the Archaeopteryx fossil preparation team at the Field Museum.

Jingmai O'Connor

The lead author of the study and a paleontologist who was called in to examine the surprising discovery of oral papillae in the Archaeopteryx fossil.

Field Museum

The Chicago-based natural history museum where the Archaeopteryx fossil was studied and prepared.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They called me over, showing tiny glowing dots. I had no idea what we were witnessing.”

— Jingmai O'Connor, Lead author

“Imagine rows of tiny fleshy cones on your mouth's roof; that's what birds have, called oral papillae.”

— Jingmai O'Connor, Lead author

What’s next

The research team plans to continue studying the Archaeopteryx fossil to uncover additional insights into the evolution of early avian digestive systems and their adaptations to support powered flight.

The takeaway

This discovery of the oldest known oral papillae in the fossil record provides a fascinating glimpse into how early birds were evolving specialized digestive features to meet the energy demands of flight, a critical adaptation as they diverged from their dinosaur ancestors.