Oviraptor

Strange “Bird-like” Characteristics

Oviraptor was the representative dinosaur of the Oviraptorosauria group and stood out as a unique existence.
It was small, with a total length of about 1 to 3 meters, and possessed many features resembling modern birds, particularly flamingos and parrots.

A Toothless Beak and Unique Head

Their most defining feature was their strange facial appearance.
The jaw had absolutely no teeth; instead, it possessed a powerful beak shaped like that of a parrot.

Protrusions in the Upper Jaw

Inside the center of the upper jaw, there were two sharp bony protrusions resembling teeth.
By interlocking these with the lower jaw, the structure was perfectly suited for crushing hard objects.

A Flamingo-like Jaw

The shape of the jaw was curved, giving it a very unique profile.

The Mystery of the Crest

It is often said that they had a crown-like crest on their heads.
However, this crest involves a major issue regarding “species mistaken identity,” which will be discussed later.

Bird-like Feathers and Ecology

Beyond the head, they had features common to modern birds, such as a short tail and developed forelimbs.
Fossil research of closely related species suggests a high probability that they possessed feathers, and current reconstructions generally depict them covered in plumage.

The False Accusation of the “Egg Thief”

The scientific name Oviraptor means “Egg Thief” or “Egg Robber” in Latin.
Furthermore, the species name “philoceratops” (lover of ceratops) was originally given with the ironic meaning of “one who loves to eat the eggs of Protoceratops.”

The 1920s: A “Guilty Verdict” Based on Circumstantial Evidence

This species was discovered during an excavation in Mongolia by the American Museum of Natural History in the 1920s.
However, the misfortune lay in the “situation” in which it was found.

The fossil was found alongside a nest and eggs of Protoceratops, a dinosaur that thrived in Mongolia at the time.
Researchers surmised, “This dinosaur must have died while raiding the nest to steal and eat the eggs.”
In 1924, based solely on this circumstantial evidence, it was named the “Egg Thief” (Oviraptor) and was believed for a long time to be a cunning looter.

Redemption After 60 Years

The turning point that cleared its name came in the 1990s, more than 60 years after its naming.

1993: The Egg Contained “Its Own Child”

In 1993, a detailed investigation of a fossil egg, previously thought to belong to Protoceratops, revealed a shocking fact.
Inside the egg, a fossil of “Oviraptor’s own embryo” was discovered.

The eggs found with the Oviraptor all those years ago were not prey it was trying to steal, but its own eggs.

1995: The Image of a “Benevolent Parent”

Furthermore, in 1995, a closely related species, Citipati, was found in a posture covering its eggs with spread forelimbs.
At the moment they became fossilized, they were not stealing eggs but were frantically trying to warm and protect the eggs they had laid, using their feathered arms.

Their true identity was not that of a “thief,” but rather the embodiment of a “devoted and nurturing parent,” much like the Maiasaura.
Thanks to this discovery, its reputation has now spread as a doting parent.

Unchangeable Names and the “International Code of Zoological Nomenclature”

Research has completely cleared them of suspicion.
However, the academic world follows strict rules known as the “International Code of Zoological Nomenclature.” Once a scientific name is formally assigned, it cannot be changed simply because the origin was incorrect.

As a result, even though their innocence has been proven, they officially remain burdened with the dishonorable name “Egg Thief.”
The species name “lover of ceratops” also remains, now sounding ironic in the sense that they are “deeply linked to the party they were falsely accused of wronging.”

Dietary Mysteries and the “Shellfish Thief” Suspicion

If eggs were not their main staple, what on earth did they eat?

Lizards and Nuts (Omnivore Theory)

As the strongest evidence, a specimen was found with lizard fossils in its abdominal cavity.
Additionally, because the jaw structure resembles that of primitive ceratopsians, the theory that they were omnivores eating plants and hard nuts is strongly supported.

The Denied “Shellfish Thief” Theory

In the past, there was a theory that they used their distinctive beaks to “pry open bivalves,” and a related species was even named Conchoraptor (“Conch plunderer” or Shellfish Thief).
However, it was found that Oviraptor skulls had many voids and could not withstand the pressure required to pry open shells, so this theory is currently viewed negatively.

The “True Identity” of Oviraptor: Was it Actually “Citipati”?

The story continues.
The famous image we often see in encyclopedias and museums—a dinosaur with a magnificent crest brooding over a nest.
Actually, there is a high possibility that strictly speaking, this is not Oviraptor.

Limitations of the Holotype Specimen

The very first specimen named “Oviraptor” (the holotype) had a crushed skull and was not in good condition.
Recent research suggests it is highly likely that the real Oviraptor did not possess the characteristic “magnificent crest.”

The Encyclopedia Figure is “Citipati”

On the other hand, the well-preserved fossil found brooding over eggs was later assigned a different genus name, Citipati, through subsequent research.
In other words, the image we have of “an Oviraptor warming its eggs” is mostly that of its relative, Citipati.
The exact facial appearance of the true Oviraptor remains shrouded in mystery.

Summary

Falsely accused as an “Egg Thief,” only to have its reputation redeemed, and then for it to be revealed that its most famous appearance was “actually a different species.”
Oviraptor is a fascinating dinosaur, albeit one full of misunderstandings and mysteries, making it somewhat of a tragic figure.

Even though its name cannot be changed, the fact remains that they struggled to leave offspring in a harsh environment.
Their truth teaches us both the difficulties and the intrigue of dinosaur research.