An Archaeopteryx with spread wings on a cliff edge overlooks a prehistoric landscape with an erupting volcano and misty mountains.

Archaeopteryx (/ˌɑːrkiːˈɒptərɪks/ ⓘ; lit. 'ancient wing'), sometimes referred to by its German name, "Urvogel" (lit. Primeval Bird) is a genus of bird-like dinosaurs. The name derives from the ancient Greek ἀρχαῖος (archaîos), meaning "ancient", and πτέρυξ (ptéryx), meaning "feather" or "wing". Between the late 19th century and the early 21st century, Archaeopteryx was generally accepted by palaeontologists and popular reference books as the oldest known bird (member of the group Avialae).[2] Older potential avialans have since been identified, including Anchiornis, Xiaotingia, Aurornis,[3] and Baminornis.[4] See more