Evolution of birds extinction event 66 million years ago, giving rise to ostriches and relatives (Paleognathae), ducks and relatives (Anseriformes), ground-living fowl (Galliformes), and “modern birds” (Neoaves). Phylogenetically, Aves is usually defined as all descendants of the most recent common ancestor of a specific modern bird species (such as the house sparrow, "Passer domesticus"), and either "Archaeopteryx", or some prehistoric species closer to Neornithes (to avoid the problems caused by the unclear relationships of "Archaeopteryx" to other theropods). If the latter classification is used then the larger group is termed Avialae. Currently, the relationship between dinosaurs, "Archaeopteryx", and modern birds is still under
Granger Archaeopteryx Granger Archaeopteryx The Granger Archaeopteryx is a British single-engined, tailless parasol monoplane designed and built in the late 1920s by two brothers, R.F.T. and R.J.T. Granger. The sole example built is currently under restoration for flight. The layout of the Archaeopteryx was inspired by the tailless swept-winged Westland-Hill Pterodactyl, itself derived from the aircraft of J. W. Dunne. These aircraft had been designed to resist stalling and to allow easy and safe recovery if they did. The Archaeopteryx follows the Dunne D.7 in being a parasol wing monoplane, however it differs in being the first aircraft of tailless swept configuration