Palaeontologists working in northeastern China have unearthed the remains of a previously unknown species of feathered dinosaur believed to have lived approximately 120 million years ago. The creature, distinguished by a peacock-like tail, has captured the attention of researchers thanks to its remarkable features, chief among them its long tail feathers and four limbs covered in plumage.
The fossil was discovered in Liaoning Province in northeastern China, according to a report by Russia Today.
Studies showed that the dinosaur was small in size, measuring approximately 34 centimetres in length, making it one of the smallest known non-avian carnivorous dinosaurs.
The most striking feature of the discovery was the presence of 16 exceptionally long tail feathers, which measured four times the length of the femur bone.
Anatomical analysis revealed large feathers covering the hind limbs in addition to the forelimbs, confirming the existence of "four-winged" dinosaurs within bird-like lineages.