SCIENCEglobal
These dinosaurs had wings but couldn’t fly
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Updated 2 hours ago
First seen March 18, 2026 10:54:09Stay on top of this story
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Quick Summary
Some feathered dinosaurs may have briefly taken to the skies—only to give it up later. By studying rare fossils with preserved feathers, researchers uncovered a surprising clue hidden in molting patterns, revealing that Anchiornis likely couldn’t fly at all. Instead of the neat, symmetrical feather replacement seen in flying birds, these dinosaurs showed a messy, irregular molt—something only flightless animals exhibit.