Overview
- A study published Wednesday, May 27, 2026 in PLOS One formally names Plumadraco bankoorum from a nearly complete Cretaceous specimen discovered in northeastern China.
- The pigeon‑sized bird measured about 15 cm from beak to rump while a paired set of tail feathers measured roughly 30 cm, giving the longest tail‑to‑body ratio known for enantiornithines.
- The fossil preserves body, wing and tail plumage and an articulated skeleton, allowing detailed anatomical study of the pygostyle that anchors tail muscles.
- Researchers used mass spectrometry and other analyses to infer the feathers were dark brown or black with possible iridescent or blue/purple tips and argue the specimen was likely male based on the ornamental feathers.
- The fossil was identified in unanalyzed museum holdings at the Shandong Tianyu Museum and the find highlights how collections and modern chemical and imaging methods can reveal ancient sexual signaling in early birds.