Jibeinia luanhera

Luahera Ji Bei

Jibeinia luanhera

(Hou, 2000)

The forests of Early Cretaceous Asia harbor many small animals, including a wide range of birds. Such creatures as Cathayornis yandica, Confuciusornis sanctus, and Liaoxiornis delicatus live in these places, as does the small bird Jibeinia luanhera. J. luanhera is about half the length of Confuciusornis (Mortimer), possessing fingers, unserrated teeth, and the twin tail plumes that seem to characterize the birds of Cretaceous China.

J. luahera is a powerful flier, and unlike many other fingered birds, possesses large talons on its feet, suitable for grasping branches.

Thanks to Mickey Mortimer who sent me the figure of the Jibeinia, commented upon my attempt at a skeletal reconstruction, and then sent me his own skeletal reconstruction.

Other sites containing pertinent information:

T. Mike Keesey's Jibeinia page

Mickey Mortimer's Details on Jibeinia (a thoughough and detailed account)

Picture Book of Chinese Fossil Birds, by Hou Lianhai, published in 2000 by the Yunnan science and Technology Press.