Oviraptorosauria

Oviraptorosauria is a group of theropod dinosaurs closely related to birds, known from the Late Cretaceous Period. These dinosaurs, like Oviraptor, were typically small and lightly built, measuring around 1.8 meters (6 feet) in length. They possessed long hind limbs for walking and slender forelimbs with grasping claws. Their skulls were short with large eyes and often featured cranial crests. Oviraptorosaurs had toothless jaws covered by a beak-like sheath.

The name "oviraptor" means "egg robber," stemming from early discoveries where fossils were found with eggs. However, further research revealed that these were likely their own eggs, and oviraptorosaurs, similar to modern birds, brooded their nests. Some oviraptorosaurs, like Caudipteryx, had feathers on their arms and tails, though these were not suitable for flight. Their diet is believed to have been omnivorous or insectivorous, with some species possibly incorporating plant material, aided by gastroliths (stomach stones) for grinding food.12