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A small dromaeosaurid theropod from the Late Cretaceous of western North America. Bambiraptor is known from a well-preserved juvenile skeleton from Montana, which was found alongside a larger, adult specimen that was less complete and has not been described in as much detail. Although much has been made about the supposedly bird-like proportions of this winged “raptor” dinosaur, in reality it’s about as avian-like in anatomy as any other dromaeosaur.
Found in the same formation as Saurornitholestes langstoni, it’s possible they are actually the same species, although the type material of Saurornitholestes is scrappy, and more recent, more complete specimens have been suggested to differ enough to keep Bambiraptor and Saurornitholestes separate. If so, it would be similar to how many ecosystems have relatives of somewhat different size (e.g. foxes, coyotes and wolves living in the same ecosystem).
The evidence
