WASHINGTON (AP) ? It seems dinosaurs can look sharp in basic black, even downright iridescent.
Scientists are reporting that an unusual crowlike dinosaur had glossy black feathers that were probably used to call attention to itself and find a mate.
They say it’s the oldest example of the shimmering look on animals, dating to 130 million years ago in rural China.
The dinosaurs are called microraptors because they didn’t get much more than 30 inches long. They look like black birds, except with fearsome teeth, claws and a strange set of secondary wings attached to their legs.
The report is published in Thursday issue of the journal Science.
