Lakota Hills in Golden in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Bird Track

Photographed By Sherry L. Perrie, January 11, 2018

1. Bird Track Marker

Inscription. Birds are descendants of theropod (meat-eating) dinosaurs and their tracks look similar: three long narrow toes with claw marks. However, bird tracks are generally smaller than most theropod tracks.

This print is wider than long and the toes are splayed. The fossil track here is a bird footprint.

Tracks made by wading birds are typically wider than long. Left and right footprints are mirror images.

Theropod tracks, like those found at Dinosaur Ridge, are consistently longer than they are wide. The toes are less splayed than those of birds and point forward. The left and right footprints are offset based on the walk of the animal while bird tracks are in a straight line.

Erected by The Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council, the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, and the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Paleontology.

Location. 39° 44.589′ N, 105° 13.167′ W. Marker is in Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It is in Lakota Hills. The marker is found on the 1.5 mile Triceratops Trail which starts at the Triceratops Trail marker on the Bike Path south of Jones Road

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and Prospect Park. Park east of the junction of 6th Ave (US 6) and 19th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Golden CO 80401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Triceratops Tracks (a few steps from this marker); Palm Fronds (a few steps from this marker); Triceratops Trail (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Colorado School Of Mines (approx. 0.7 miles away); Stop 7: Laramie Formation (68 mya) Clay Pits Fault, Fire Clay Mining, Reclamation (approx. ¾ mile away); Stop 7a: White Ash Mine (approx. ¾ mile away); White Ash Mine Disaster (approx. ¾ mile away); The Astor House (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.

Also see . . .
1. Triceratops Trail. (Submitted on February 13, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Triceratops Trail. (Submitted on February 13, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
3. Crane. (Submitted on February 13, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)

Crane-like Bird Track image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Sherry L. Perrie, January 11, 2018

2. Crane-like Bird Track

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 13, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.