Flying dinosaurs vs modern birds: New laser tech helps spot one big difference

Imaging of soft tissue shows flying dinosaurs used shoulders and chest to power their wings, unlike today’s birds which just rely on chest muscles. First bird example with ‘upstroke-enhanced flight’ is named after Chinese philosopher Confucius. — SCMP

The world’s first flying dinosaurs stayed aloft with a different muscle system than today’s birds, an international team of scientists has confirmed using advances in laser technology.

The team said the early birds used their shoulder muscles to lift their wings and used chest muscles to depress them, unlike modern birds that use only their chest to power their flight stroke.