Prehistoric bird species could not flap wings

[Still Waters]

Some of the earliest species of bird would probably have been unable to flap their wings because their feathers were too weak, new evidence suggests.

Researchers believe species such as Archaeopteryx, which lived 140 million years ago and is considered to be the first true bird, may not have been capable of powered flight.

Fossil studies of Archaeopteryx, which experts say looked like a feathery dinosaur with wings, show that the species had thinner shafts on its feathers than those of modern birds.

Read more...