Figure 3. Ornithocheirid water launch sequence in the pattern of a pelican launch. LIke ducks, geese and pelicans, pterosaur probably floated high in the water. Here the wings rise first and unfold in an unhurried fashion, keeping dry and unencumbered by swirling waters. Then the legs run furiously, like a Jesus lizard, but with such tiny feet, they were not much help in generating forward motion. The huge wings, however, did create great drafts of air, thrusting the pterosaur forward until sufficient airspeed was attained, as in the pelican.
Pterosaur water launch
