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Sapeornis was an early short-tailed avialan from the Early Cretaceous of China. The shortened tail is reflected in the group it belongs to: Avibrevicaudans. These short-tailed avialans would eventually give rise to enantiornithines and later modern birds. Sapeornis had long wings and an expanded flapping range that suggests some form of incipient flight, although its lack of advanced wing elevation anatomy and absence of an ossified, keeled sternum suggests its flight was still short in duration and less efficient than in living birds. One paper claimed a soaring style of flight for Sapeornis, and while still controversial, if correct it would show another potential path from non-fliers to flight. Not controversial is that Sapeornis retained small teeth, and the stomach of some individuals preserves gastroliths (swallowed stomach stones) that may have allowed it to eat seeds and fruit.
