Scientists uncover new secrets of rare feathered fossil showing early bird evolution

Scientists with the Field Museum of Chicago have discovered that a pigeon-sized Archaeopteryx fossil in its collection displays an array of features previously unknown when it comes to the earliest known birds, particularly a bird’s feathers, hands, feet and head.

Reuters reported that the fossil is one of the best preserved and most complete of the 14 known fossils of the specimens identified since 1861.

The first Archaeopteryx fossil, which showed reptile and bird-like features,...