Bird-Like Footprints Found in Triassic Fossils Predate Known Birds by 60 Million Years

Researchers suggest early dinosaurs or other reptiles may have independently evolved bird-like feet, challenging current understanding of avian evolution.

• Footprints found in southern Africa dating back over 210 million years show bird-like characteristics, predating the earliest known bird fossils by about 60 million years.
• The footprints, named Trisauropodiscus, were likely made by early dinosaurs or other reptiles that evolved bird-like feet independently.
• Researchers identified two distinct morphologies among Trisauropodiscus footprints, one similar to non-bird dinosaur tracks and the other similar to bird footprints.
• The footprints do not match any known fossil animals from the region and time period, adding to the mystery of their origin.
• The findings suggest that bird-like feet evolved much earlier than the first birds, potentially in multiple animal groups.

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