Cimolopterygids is a family of extinct avialans exclusive from the Late Cretaceous period. They are known mostly from North America, although remains from other regions, namely South America, have been found. They could have belonged to the modern Charadriiformes order of birds, that includes a large array of beach-dwelling birds. If true, this would make them the earliest charadriiformes. However, recent analysis find little concrete evidence to place cimolopterygids, confidently, in the Charadriiformes order, so their position in Ornithurae largely remains unresolved. They display a much more gracile shape, and are more specialized than other early relatives, prefering a life closer to the sea and shifting to a more carnivorous diet, although keeping some occasional plant matter on their diet.
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