Enantiornithes

The Enantiornithes, also known as enantiornithines or enantiornitheans in literature, are a group of extinct avialans ("birds" in the broad sense), the most abundant and diverse group known from the Mesozoic era. Almost all retained teeth and clawed fingers on each wing, but otherwise looked much like modern birds externally. Over seventy species of Enantiornithes have been named, but some names represent only single bones, so it is likely that not all are valid. The Enantiornithes became extinct at the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary, along with Hesperornithes and all other non-avian dinosaurs.

Iberomesornis ("Iberian intermediate bird") is a monotypic genus of enantiornithine bird of the Cretaceous of Spain.

Gobipteryx (from Gobi [referring to the Gobi Desert where it was first discovered], and Greek pteryx "wing") is a genus of prehistoric bird from the Campanian Age of the Late Cretaceous Period. It is not known to have any direct descendants. Like the rest of the enantiornithes clade, Gobipteryx is thought to have gone extinct near the end of the Cretaceous.

Protopteryx is an extinct bird and possibly the basalmost enantiornithean, from the Cretaceous period. The type species is P. fengningensis. It was first discovered in the Sichakou Member of the Yixian Formation or Huajiying Formation of Hebei Province, northern China, dating from 131 Ma ago. Protopteryx has been found in the Daibeigou formation, as well. The name Protopteryx means "primitive feather": "proto-" meaning "the first of" and "-pteryx" meaning "feather" or "wing." The name comes from the fact that Protopteryx feathers are more primitive than those of modern birds, such as the two e

Sinornis is a genus of enantiornithean birds from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of the People's Republic of China.

Enantiornis is a genus of Enantiornithes. The type and only currently accepted species E. leali is from the Late Cretaceous Lecho Formation at El Brete, Argentina. It was described from specimen PVL-4035, a coracoid, proximal scapula and proximal humerus found close to each other and suspected to represent the left shoulder of a single individual.

Alexornis was a genus of enantiornithine birds from the La Bocana Roja Formation of Baja California, Mexico. This geological formation has been dated to the late Cretaceous period, and more specifically to the Cenomanian and Turonian ages, about 93.6 mya. The type and only known species is Alexornis antecedens. The scientific name as a whole means "Alex's ancestral bird"; Alexornis from the given name of ornithologist Alexander Wetmore + Ancient Greek ornis, "bird", and antecedens, Latin for "going before" or "ancestral".

Cratoavis is a genus of enantiornithines. The type and only currently described species is C. cearensis, from the Early Cretaceous of Araripe Basin, Ceará, Brazil. The fossil, an articulated skeleton with feathers attached to the wings and surrounding the body, extends considerably the temporal record of the group at South America.

Avimaia is a genus of fossil birds of the Enantiornithes clade that lived about 115 million years ago in Northwest China. The only known species is A. schweitzerae. The holotype fossil of the bird was found in the Xiagou Formation, and is noted as the first discovered fossil bird with an unlaid egg. Abnormalities, including egg binding in which the egg becomes stuck within the body of the bird causing death, were found in the egg suggesting that the preserved egg may have caused this bird's demise. Egg binding is a serious and lethal condition that is fairly common in small birds undergoing st

Cathayornis is a genus of enantiornithean birds, from the Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning, People's Republic of China. It is known definitively from only one species, Cathayornis yandica, one of the first Enantiornithes found in China. Several additional species were once incorrectly classified as Cathayornis, and have since been reclassified or regarded as nomina dubia.

Navaornis is an extinct genus of enantiornithean birds from the Late Cretaceous Adamantina Formation of Brazil. The genus contains a single species, N. hestiae, known from a well preserved skull and skeleton.

Pengornithidae is a group of early enantiornithines from the early Cretaceous Period of China, with the putative member Falcatakely possibly extending this clade's range into the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar, and several putative pengornithids also hail from this formation. Specimens of these animals have been found both in the Huajiying Formation and Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning and Hebei provinces, dating from the Hauterivian age (130.7 million years ago) to the Aptian age (120 million years ago).

Abavornis is the name given to a genus of primitive birds from the Late Cretaceous, containing the single species A. bonaparti (named in honor of the Argentine paleontologist José Bonaparte). It was probably a member of the Enantiornithes, but as it is only known from a single broken coracoid (TsNIGRI 56/11915), which, however, looks typically enantiornithine, that assignment is tentative. The fossil is from Late Cretaceous Bissekty Formation (Turonian, 92 MYA) in the Kyzylkum, Uzbekistan. Another partial coracoid (PO 4605) is very similar and is referred to as Abavornis sp.; it might belong t

Pengornis is the largest known enantiornithean bird from the Early Cretaceous of northeast China. The name derives from "Peng", which refers to a mythological bird from Chinese folklore, and "-ornis", which means bird in Greek.

Noguerornis is a genus of enantiornithine bird possibly related to Iberomesornis. It lived during the Early Cretaceous (early Barremian age) about 130 mya and is known from fossils found in the La Pedrera de Rúbies Formation at El Montsec, Spain.

Eoenantiornis is a genus of enantiornithean birds which lived during the early Cretaceous period (124.6 Ma ago). It is known from a single fossil specimen found in the Yixian Formation in Liaoning province, China.

Cruralispennia is an extinct genus of enantiornithean bird. The only known specimen of Cruralispennia was discovered in the Early Cretaceous Huajiying Formation of China and formally described in 2017. The type species of Cruralispennia is Cruralispennia multidonta. The generic name is Latin for "shin feather", while the specific name means "many-toothed". The holotype of Cruralispennia is IVPP 21711, a semi-articulated partial skeleton surrounded by the remains of carbonized feathers.

Liaoningornis (meaning "bird of Liaoning" in Greek) is a genus of bird from Lower Cretaceous China. It was collected from the dinosaur-bearing beds of the Sihetun locality, of the Yixian Formation, Shangyuan, near the city of Beipiao in Liaoning province. The only known species is Liaoningornis longidigitris. It was described by Linhai Hou in 1996 and 1997. Longidigitris had been a lapsus calami; Hou emended the name in 1997 to Lioaningornis longidigitus.

Yuanchuavis (meaning "Yuanchu bird", after a mythical Chinese bird) is an extinct genus of pengornithid bird in the group Enantiornithes. Its type and only specimen, IVPP V27883, is the holotype for its only species, Y. kompsosoura (meaning "beautiful tail"). It was recovered from the Jiufotang Formation of China, and has a fossilized fan of highly graduated rectrices. The tail has graduation similar to Chiappeavis and a pair of highly elongate central rectrices similar to the pintails of extant male sunbirds. Melanosomes sampled from the holotype suggest the central pair of rectrices to be da

Eoalulavis (from the Ancient Greek: Éōs, "dawn"; alula, "bastard wing"; avis, "bird") is a monotypic genus of enantiornithean bird that lived during the Barremian, in the Lower Cretaceous around 125 million years ago. The only known species is Eoalulavis hoyasi.

Yungavolucris is a genus of enantiornitheans. It contains the single species Yungavolucris brevipedalis, which lived in the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian, c.70.6 – 66 mya). The fossil bones were found in the Lecho Formation at estancia El Brete, Argentina."Yungavolucris brevipedalis" means "Short-footed Yungas bird". The generic name, Yungavolucris is after the Yungas region + the Latin volucris, which translates to "bird" (literally "flyer"). The specific name brevipedalis is from the Latin brevis, which means "short", + pedalis, from the Latin pes, meaning "foot".

Brevirostruavis (meaning "short rostrum bird") is a genus of Early Cretaceous enantiornithine bird from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning, China. The type and only species is Brevirostruavis macrohyoideus.

Parapengornis is an extinct genus of enantiornithean bird from the Lower Cretaceous of what is now China. The holotype specimen was discovered in the Jiufotang Formation near Lingyuan, western Liaoning province, and was catalogued as IVPP V18687. The nearly complete, articulated specimen is preserved on a slab and has impressions of pennaceous feathers. Only parts of the sternum, the left hand, and right foot are missing. In 2015, it became the basis of the new genus and species Parapengornis eurycaudatus, named by the Chinese palaeontologists Han Hu, Jingmai K. O'Connor, and Zhonghe Zhou. The

Kuszholia (meaning "Milky Way bird" after the Kazakh term for the Milky Way, құс жолы qus jolı) is the name given to a genus of primitive birds or bird-like dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous.

Qiliania (from the Xiongnu qilian, "heaven") is an extinct genus of early bird from the lower Cretaceous (Aptian stage) about 120 million years ago. It is an enantiornithean which lived in what is now Gansu Province, north-western China. It is known from two incomplete, semi-articulated and three-dimensionally preserved skeletons, which were found in the Xiagou Formation of the Changma Basin. It was first named by Shu-An Ji, Jessie Atterholt, Jingmai O'Connor, Matthew Lamanna, Jerry Harrs, Li Da-Qing, You Hai-Lu and Peter Dodson in 2011 and the type species is Qiliania graffini. The species wa

Liaoxiornis is a dubious genus of enantiornithean bird. The only named species is Liaoxiornis delicatus, described by Hou and Chen in 1999. Because the species was named for a hatchling specimen, it cannot be matched with adult specimens, and so it is impossible to determine which, if any, birds from the same rocks represent adults of this species. Luis Chiappe and colleagues therefore regarded it as a nomen vanum ("empty name") or at least a nomen dubium, and recommended that use of the name be abandoned. thumb|left|Fossil of Liaoxiornis delicatus, at Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia, Veni

Incolornis (meaning "inhabitant bird") is an extinct genus of basal birds from the Late Cretaceous (Coniacian, 89–86 mya). Remains have been found in the Bissekty Formation in Uzbekistan. It is only known from fragmentary coracoids. The systematic position of the genus is unclear; it might have been an enantiornithine bird.

Junornis is a bird genus, belonging to the Enantiornithes, that during the Early Cretaceous lived in the area of present China.

Falcatakely forsterae (meaning "small scythe" from the Latin falcatus and Malagasy kely, in reference to the shape of the beak) is an extinct genus of enantiornithean that lived during the period Upper Cretaceous, approximately 68 to 70 million years ago, in what is now Madagascar. Its fossil remains date back to the Maevarano Formation bird known from partial fossils from northern Madagascar. The genus contains a single species, Falcatakely forsterae.

Parvavis is a genus of enantiornithean bird, known from the upper Cretaceous of China in the Jiangdihe Formation. The type and only species, Parvavis chuxiongensis, was recovered in Luojumei Village, Chuxiong City, Yunnan Province, southern China, and it was the only known Mesozoic bird from south China at the time of its discovery. Based on its bone structure, the holotype was determined to be nearly fully grown at its time of death and would have been smaller than Iberomesornis, the smallest known enantiornithine prior to the description of Parvavis.

Eocathayornis is a genus of enantiornithean birds that was probably more basal or "primitive" than related genera Sinornis and Cathayornis. These birds lived during the Early Cretaceous in today's People's Republic of China.

Mirusavis is a genus of Enantiornithes from the early Cretaceous (Aptian – Barremian) of China recovered in the Yixian Formation. It contains a single species, Mirusavis parvus.

Martinavis is a genus of enantiornithine birds which existed in what is now southern France, North America and Salta Province, Argentina during the late Cretaceous period. It was named by Cyril A. Walker, Eric Buffetaut and Gareth J. Dyke in 2007, and the type species is Martinavis cruzyensis.

Eopengornis is an extinct genus of pengornithid that lived in China during the Hauterivian. It contains the species E. martini.

Explorornis ("discovered bird", from Latin explōrō "to discover" and Ancient Greek ornis (όρνις) "bird") is a genus of Mesozoic birds which lived during the mid-late Turonian stage, around 90 million years ago, in the Bissekty Formation of the Kyzyl Kum, in present-day Uzbekistan.

Nanantius is a genus of extinct enantiornithean avialan ("bird" in the broad sense of the word) known from the Early Cretaceous (Albian, c. 100–112 mya) of Australia.

Lectavis is a genus of enantiornithine avialan. Their fossil bones have been recovered from the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian, c. 70.6 – 66 mya) Lecho Formation at estancia El Brete, Argentina. The genus contains a single species, Lectavis bretincola.

Gobipterygidae is a family of extinct enantiornithine birds known from the Cretaceous of Asia.

Largirostrornis is a genus of enantiornithean bird. One species has been named, Largirostornis sexdentoris. It lived during the Early Cretaceous and is known from fossils found in the Jiufotang Formation in Liaoning province, People's Republic of China. Some researchers believe this species to be a junior synonym of the similar Cathayornis yandica.

Vescornis is a genus of enantiornithine bird. One species is named, V. hebeiensis. The holotype fossil is in the collection of the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Its catalog number is CAGS 130722. The fossil was found in Early Cretaceous rocks first attributed to the Yixian Formation, Senjitu, Fengning County, Hebei Province, China. However, later study of area geology showed that these rocks actually belong to the Huajiying Formation.

Chiappeavis is a genus of enantiornithean bird from Early Cretaceous of northeastern China. The only species is Chiappeavis magnapremaxillo. Chiappeavis is classified within the family Pengornithidae. It is known from a single, almost complete skeleton including feather impressions discovered in the Jiufotang Formation of the Jehol Group. Long feathers formed a fan-shaped tail that was probably employed in flight.

Yuornis (meaning "Henan bird", after the Chinese one-character abbreviation for Henan, ()) is an extinct genus of enantiornithean bird known from the Late Cretaceous of Henan, China. It contains one species, Yuornis junchangi, named after Lü Junchang.

Musivavis (meaning "mosaic bird") is a genus of euenantiornithean bird from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian) Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning Province, China. The genus contains a single species, Musivavis amabilis, known from a nearly complete, articulated skeleton.

Piscivorenantiornis is a genus of enantiornithine bird from the Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning, China. It is known from a single species, P. insusitatus.

Jibeinia is a genus of enantiornithean bird. Only one species has been named, Jibeinia luanhera. It is known from one holotype fossil found in the Hebei province, People's Republic of China. This fossil is now lost. The holotype was, however, described and figured in detail by Hou (1997).

Dapingfangornis was an enantiornithean bird. It lived during the Early Cretaceous and is known from fossils—including a complete skeleton—found in the Jiufotang Formation in Liaoning province, People's Republic of China. Small to medium-sized, it had a sternum with both long and short lateral processes, and a unique thornlike process on its nares.

Lenesornis is a genus of enantiornithine birds which lived during the Late Cretaceous about 90 Ma and is known from fossils found in the Bissekty Formation in the Kyzyl Kum, Uzbekistan.

Longchengornis is a genus of enantiornithean birds which lived during the early Cretaceous Period, about 120 mya, and is known from a fossil found in the Jiufotang Formation in Liaoning province, People's Republic of China. It contains the single species L. sanyanensis, though some researchers believe this to be a synonym of the similar species Cathayornis yandica.

Xiangornis is an enantiornithean bird from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Western Liaoning, China.

Sazavis was an enantiornithine bird from the Late Cretaceous. It might have been related to Nanantius and lived in what is now the Kyzyl Kum of Uzbekistan. There is a single species known to date, Sazavis prisca.

Kizylkumavis is an extinct genus of enantiornithine birds known from the Late Cretaceous Bissekty Formation of the Kyzyl Kum in Uzbekistan.

Elsornis is a genus of enantiornithean bird. Only one species has been named, Elsornis keni. It lived during the Late Cretaceous. It is known from a partially articulated fossil skeleton found in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.

Flexomornis (meaning "flexed shoulder bird") is a genus of enantiornithean birds known from fossils found in Texas rocks belonging to the Woodbine Formation (Lewisville Member) dating to the middle Cenomanian age of the late Cretaceous period. It contains a single species, Flexomornis howei, named for the amateur fossil hunter Kris Howe, who discovered the site where the fossils were found.

Monoenantiornis is an extinct genus of enantiornithean that inhabited China during the Cretaceous period. It is a monotypic genus known from the species M. sihedangia.

Gracilornis is an extinct genus of early bird from the lower Cretaceous (Aptian stage). It is a cathayornithid enantiornithine which lived in what is now western Liaoning Province, China. It is known from a nearly complete skull and postcranial skeleton, which was found from the Jiufotang Formation, in Chaoyang. It was first named by Li Li and Hou Shilin in 2011 and the type species is Gracilornis jiufotangensis. The generic name is derived from Latin gracilis, "slender" and Greek ornis, "bird", and refers to its slender skeleton. The specific name was named after the Jiufotang Formation, in w

Elektorornis () is an extinct genus of enantiornithean bird from the Late Cretaceous of Myanmar. The genus contains a single species, Elektorornis chenguangi, known from a partial hindlimb and a small amount of wing plumage preserved in amber. In life, it would have been slightly smaller than a sparrow and possibly used its characteristically elongated middle toe to probe for food. Elektorornis chenguangi is the first bird species described from remains found in Burmese amber, although other undiagnostic enantiornithean specimens have previously been found.

Ilerdopteryx is an extinct genus of birds, perhaps an enantiornithine, from the Lower Cretaceous La Pedrera de Rúbies Formation lithographic limestone of Spain. The type species, I. viai, is known only from a collection of isolated contour feathers.

Otogornis is an extinct genus of enantiornithean that lived during the Barremian stage of the Early Cretaceous epoch.

Gretcheniao is an extinct genus of enantiornithean that lived during the Early Cretaceous epoch.

Praeornis is an extinct genus of early avialan, possibly an enantiornithine, from the Late Jurassic Karabastau Formation of Kazakhstan. Only the type species is known, which is P. sharovi.