 In 1991, Glazunova and colleagues examined the specimen using an electron microscope, and found that the microstructure had features in common with the "primitive" feathers of ratite birds [since ratites are now known to be secondarily flightless paleognathous birds, their feathers are not primitive but degenerate flight and contour feathers].In a 2001 paper, Kurochkin also accepted its identity as a feather.A more comprehensive study was published in 2010 by Dzik et al., in which the authors conducted a biochemical analysis of a "Praeornis" feather and other fossils from the same site, including plants and fish.