How was Archaeopteryx similar to both birds and dinosaurs?

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Jurassic paleogeography — Jurassic Period Distribution of landmasses, mountainous regions, shallow seas, and deep ocean basins during the late Jurassic Period. Included in the paleogeographic reconstruction are the locations of the interval's subduction zones.

Archaeopteryx is a significant genus from the Jurassic Period that exhibits a mosaic of features linking it to both birds and dinosaurs.1

Similarities to Birds:
* Flight Capabilities: It possessed well-developed wings with feathers arranged similarly to those of modern birds, indicating an ability to fly.1
* Feather Structure: Analysis of melanosomes in its feathers suggests they were black and provided structural support to the wings, a trait shared with modern birds.1

Similarities to Dinosaurs:
* Skeletal Anatomy: Unlike living birds, Archaeopteryx retained primitive features such as well-developed teeth and a long, bony tail.1
* Clawed Fingers: Its three fingers bore claws and moved independently, contrasting with the fused fingers found in modern birds.1
* Shared Theropod Traits: It shared many anatomical characters with coelurosaurs, including a wishbone, hollow bones, and air sacs, which were present in dinosaurs before the evolution of flight.1