What animals are supposedly archaeopteryx's ancestors?

The direct predecessors of Archaeopteryx may have resembled some of the earliest members of Avialae, such as Xiaotingia or Anchiornis (though, again, whether or not those animals were the direct ancestor of Archaeopteryx is hard to say, and unlikely). read more

Archaeopteryx was an evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds. Scientists long thought Archaeopteryx was the first bird, but recent discoveries have made them rethink that status. read more

Archaeopteryx, an extinct bird represented by at least eleven distinctly feathered fossils, definitely had mature-appearing flight feathers on its legs. In fact, analysis of the eleventh known specimen of Archaeopteryx reveals that, in addition to its leg feathers, its wings, tail, body, and neck were feathery—like today’s birds. read more