Ornithological experts in Shenyang Normal University found fossils of an unknown primitive bird, later named "Shenshiornis primita". The discovery was recently published in Acta Geologica Sinica, an important international academic journal.

The fossils were discovered in the 120-million-year-old Jiufutang Formation stratum of Lower Cretaceous in Chaoyang County, Liaoning province. The bird was about 40cm long, with an even less streamlined skull than archaeopteryx which was considered the ancestor of all birds. However, the upper jaw and the legs showed features that suggested the bird lived in trees.

Discovered by the Institute of Palaeontology, Shenyang Normal University in October 2005, the bird was named after the university. So far fossils of over 40 bird species living in Mesozoic Era (from about 250 millions years ago to 67 millions years ago) have been found in China, most of which were discovered by institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences and its affiliations. Since it was founded in 2005, the Institute of Palaeontology, Shenyang Normal University has achieved many academic accomplishments, and won acclaim from the international paleontological community.

By Xie Fang & Liu Jingyuan