Researchers in Taiwan have discovered that oviraptors, bird-like but flightless dinosaurs, hatched their eggs less efficiently than modern birds. The study, published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, used heat transfer simulations and a life-sized oviraptor incubator with eggs to examine ancient brooding behavior.
Oviraptors occupied an evolutionary position between reptiles and birds, raising questions about whether they used environmental heat like crocodiles or body heat from adults like modern birds. Understanding their reproductive strategies provides insight into the transition from reptilian to avian incubation methods during dinosaur evolution.