Avimimus

bird mimic

• avi · Latin · bird
• mimus · Latin · mimic, imitator

Avimimus means "bird mimic". Sergei Kurzanov chose the name because the skeleton of this small theropod showed many bird-like features, such as a lightweight, toothless beak-like snout and details of the skull and limbs that resemble those of birds.

Named by

Kurzanov

Year named

1981

Period

Late Cretaceous

Found in

Gobi Desert, Mongolia (Nemegt and Barun Goyot formations) and Inner Mongolia, China (Gobi region)

An oviraptorosaur theropod. The type species is Avimimus portentosus. Fossils attributed to it come from Mongolia and China, and the exact stage ranges are uncertain, so stages are omitted.