Scientists discover new bird-like dinosaur in Mongolia

The dinosaur belongs to the Troodontidae family, known from the Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous period.

Mongolian palaeontologist Barsbold Rinchen said that this group has posed many questions for scientists who are still conducting investigations.

"The composition of the group was uncertain, the connections are completely unclear. The first finds, very incomplete, were studied in Mongolia from the Upper Cretaceous deposits. Their feet were most often preserved," he was quoted.

The birds were predators with a second toe on their toes and enlarged claw phalanx, similar to that of velociraptors, small feathered dinosaurs also found in Mongolia by scientists.

According to researchers, the claw could have been used for attack and defence. Not much is known about the remaining features of the bird.

Troodontids lack the distinct pelvis and tail features seen in dromaeosaurids. However, scientists believe the two groups might be related.

This idea could be confirmed with future discoveries of more complete skeletons.