No known non-avian (non-bird), flying dinosaur has ever been discovered, but there were creatures that flew at the time of the dinosaurs. The first and most prolific were the pterosaurs. These contemporaries of the dinosaur lived throughout the Mesozoic era and appeared to be close relatives of the dinosaurs, evolving from the archosaurs. The dinosaurs dominated on land; the pterosaurs dominated the air.

The connection of dinosaurs to birds is still highly debated. But if dinosaurs and birds are truly so closely related, then it could be said that avian dinosaurs, or birds, would eventually evolve, take to the air, and endure today.