The name "Avicephala" means "bird heads", in reference to the distinctive triangular skulls of these reptiles that mimic the shape of bird skulls. A few avicephalans, such as "Hypuronector", even appear to have had pointed, toothless, bird-like beaks. This cranial similarity to birds has led a few scientists to theorize that birds descended from avicephalans like "Longisquama", though a majority see the similarity simply as convergence. This similarity may also have led to the possible misidentification of the would-be "first bird", "Protoavis".