In Depth
Aviraptor is a genus of hawk that lived in Eastern Europe during the Oligocene period. Aviraptor is one of the smallest fossil hawks discovered being approximately comparable to the modern day little sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus), and the Tiny hawk (Accipiter superciliosus). As a small hawk, Aviraptor would have primarily been a predator of small birds, though other small creature such as bats, lizards and rodents may have also been hunted. This is certainly true at least for modern day hawks of similar size and build to Aviraptor.
Further Reading
- A tiny, long-legged raptor from the early Oligocene of Poland may be the earliest bird-eating diurnal bird of prey”. The Science of Nature. 107 (6): 48. - Gerald Mayr & J�rn H.Hurum - 2020.
