Epidexipteryx hui

Epidexipteryx hui is remarkable for preserving four exceptionally long, ribbon-like tail feathers that were likely used for display rather than flight. The fossil also shows a covering of simpler feathers across the body. These display feathers make it one of the most visually striking small dinosaurs known from the fossil record.

Epidexipteryx hui was discovered in Jurassic-age deposits in Inner Mongolia, China. It comes from the Daohugou Beds (also associated with the Tiaojishan Formation), which have produced numerous exceptionally preserved fossils of feathered dinosaurs and early mammals. The species was formally described in 2008.

Epidexipteryx hui shows no evidence of flight feathers or other adaptations for powered flight. Its feathers appear to have served primarily insulation and display functions, with the long tail feathers likely used for social signaling. It belonged to the scansoriopterygid group of small climbing dinosaurs that were not capable of true flight.

Epidexipteryx hui was a very small dinosaur, with a body length estimated at roughly 25 to 30 centimeters excluding its long tail feathers. This makes it comparable in size to a modern pigeon. It ranks among the smallest known non-avian dinosaurs.