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
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. It can be reached
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Colorado’s Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
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); Clay Mining (within shouting distance of 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. Ύ mile
Photographed by Sherry L. Perrie, January 11, 2018
2. Crane-like Bird Track
Also see . . .
1. Triceratops Trail. Golden, Colorado website entry (Submitted on February 13, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
2. Triceratops Trail. Go Hike Colorado website entry (Submitted on February 13, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
3. Crane (bird). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on February 13, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 13, 2018, by Alan M. Perrie of Unionville, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 505 times since then and 25 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.
