Pigeon-sized dinosaur with bat wings found, scientists scratch their heads

Artist reconstruction of Yi qi, or strange wing, which evidently had membranous wings like those of a bat. Illustration: DINOSTAR CO LTD

The discovery of a pigeon-sized dinosaur with bat-like wings has exposed bizarre twists in the early evolution of birds, say scientists in China last week, but their conclusions were immediately challenged.

Named Yi qi, for “strange wing” in Mandarin, the creature was an odd and unexpected addition to a long list of failed evolutionary experiments in flight – having sported wings of membrane rather than feathers, they said.