Protarchaeopteryx

Protarchaeopteryx was a genus of small, feathered theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 125 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. Fossil specimens reveal impressions of long feathers on its forearms and tail. These feathers were symmetrical and resembled those of modern flightless birds, but they differed from the feathers of flying birds like Archaeopteryx. The forelimbs of Protarchaeopteryx were too short to function as wings, indicating that complex feathers likely evolved for purposes other than flight, such as insulation or display.12

Protarchaeopteryx is closely related to birds, belonging to the Oviraptorosauria group of theropods. It likely resembled a small pheasant or turkey, possibly feeding on plants and insects, as suggested by the presence of gastroliths (stomach stones) found in some specimens.12