Flying dinosaurs, or technically, pterosaurs, are amongst the key features added in Jurassic World Evolution 2 as an improvement over its predecessor. Acquiring these dinosaurs will require a degree of patience in the work needed to build an environment suitable for these winged reptiles.

Related: The Best Marine Dinosaurs In Jurassic World Evolution 2

This involves a special type of enclosure known as an Aviary. The game had a good choice of flying dinosaurs to choose from, and you can be sure that more are currently in development and waiting to be released. With this in mind, let's determine which of them you will want to make sure is front-and-centre in your park.

Updated October 5, 2022, by Daniel Furn: Since its launch, Jurassic World Evolution 2 has treated players to several batches of DLC, including the Dominion Biosyn Expansion and several Cretaceous packs. The DLC included a new campaign, a Jurassic World Dominion chaos mode, and yes, more flying dinosaurs to add to this list.

10 Barbaridactylus

A flying Barbaridactylus in an enclosure in Jurassic World Evolution 2
Frontier Developments

The boomerang-shaped Barbaridactylus arrived in Jurassic World Evolution 2 as part of the Late Cretaceous Pack, having lived in Africa around 66-72 million years ago. A medium-sized pterosaur, Barbaridactylus is part of the unique nyctosaurid family, which rarely set foot on land – and was adapted for almost constant flight.

The Barbaridactylus was only recently discovered in Morocco in 2018, and can fittingly be unlocked in Jurassic World Evolution 2 by retrieving the fossil from the Sidi Daoui dig site in either Africa, Morocco, or Khouribga.

9 Dsungaripterus

A Dsungaripterus flying in an enclosure in Jurassic World Evolution 2
Frontier Developments

Added as part of the Cretaceous Pack DLC, the confusingly titled Dsungaripterus lived in Asia around 130 million years ago. It is easily identifiable by its notably curved jaw designed for levering shellfish out of mud, and then piercing their armour with their blunt teeth or pointy jaw tip.

The Dsungaripterus can be unlocked by retrieving the fossil from the Tugulu Group dig site, and lives on a diet of fish.

8 Maaradactylus

A pair of Maaradactylus stepping into the light in Jurassic World Evolution 2

Living in the early cretaceous era, the Maaradactylus is an unusual-looking animal and will be intriguing to your park guests. It is named after Maara, a mythic Brazillian woman who turned into a monster with exceptionally sharp teeth.

The Maaradactylus, like her, is native to South America, and has two rows of very sharp teeth. As stated above, its distinct appearance should keep guests coming back and gain more traffic for your park.

7 Tropeognathus

A pair Tropeognathus in an enclosure in Jurassic World Evolution 2
Frontier Developments

One of the biggest flying species on this list, the Tropeognathus can grow to have a wingspan of eight metres, and has a distinct keel jaw which helps the dinosaur keep balance when catching fish. Similar to the Maaradactylus, it lived in South America around 110 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period.

Related: Jurassic World Evolution 2: Biggest Changes In The Sequel

The sight of a huge pterosaur diving into the water in search of food will be sure to entertain your visitors. They will need more space than others on this list, but the sight of a group of them soaring through the air will add that x-factor you may have been looking for.

6 Tapejara

A screenshot of a flying Tapejara from Jurassic World Evolution 2
Frontier Developments 

The smallest dinosaur on this list, the Tapejara grew up to 4m in wingspan. Suitably, its name means 'old being'. Tapejara, as well as feeding on fish, will also feed on fruit, making them omnivores. The picking of fruit is made easier by its smaller size and beak, which is a similar design to that of a parrot.

The Tapejara will want to be kept away from other dinosaurs, as it has a shallow basin by which it hunts fish, and is more reclusive than others due to its small size. This tendency to hunt on land and in shallow waters has led to them becoming a target of other dinosaurs, like the Spinosaurid family of carnivores.

5 Cearadactylus

A perched Cearadactylus in Jurassic World Evolution 2

Cearadactylus is a large dinosaur with a 5.5-metre wingspan and long, thin beak and body. Normally found hunting in larger and deeper bodies of water, it is able to do this due to its excellent eyesight and long beak fitted with teeth, which is perfect for catching fish.

One of the more ferocious species, these need to be kept separate from others, and made sure they are kept happy to prevent them from escaping. Dinosaurs can escape the enclosures in this game, and these will cause more havoc than other pterosaurs. Think of the scene in Jurassic World where the flying dinosaurs are let loose through the park.

4 Geosternbergia

A screenshot of a landed Geosternbergia in Jurassic World Evolution 2
Frontier Developments

Unfortunately only available in the Deluxe Edition of the game, the Geosternbergia is a big dinosaur with a 7m wingspan and the longest beak of any on this list. Due to its length, the beak acts as a tool to grab fish out of the water, but also allows the dinosaur to launch itself into large groups of fish and use its beak as a spear. This is a necessary skill due to the Geosternbergia not having any teeth, which was led by its habitat having an abundance of smaller fish and marine life.

Related: Best Piscivores In Jurassic World Evolution 2

Also, unlike all the others on this list so far, it comes from the Late Cretaceous era and originates in North America. Due to its hunting style, it is different enough to warrant a place this high on our list, and is eye-catching due to this and its brighter colours.

3 Quetzalcoatlus

A Quetzalcoatlus flying in the Jurassic World Evolution 2 Dominion Biosyn Expansion
Frontier Developments

One of the largest flying animals ever, the Quetzalcoatlus has a wingspan in excess of 10m – the size of a small plane. It’s unsurprising therefore that it can be seen fighting – and winning against – Kayala Watts’ seaplane in Jurassic World: Dominion, and was later added to the game as part of the Dominion Biosyn Expansion.

First discovered in Texas in 1971, the Quetzalcoatlus lived in the southern states of the US in the Late Cretaceous period. It was named after the Mexican feathered serpent god, Quetzalcoatl. It can be unlocked in-game by retrieving the fossil from the Javelina Formation dig site.

2 Pteranodon

A screenshot of a flying Pteranadon from Jurassic World Evolution 2
Frontier Developments

With its distinctive skull crest, the Pteranodon is one of the flagship flying dinosaurs in the game. With a wingspan of up to seven metres, it's a very large dinosaur, and will be apparent to your viewers. There are features that make this one of the best, as you can design the look of your Pteranodon using one of six skins.

Pteranodons are not susceptible to disease and, in the game, can only die of natural causes. Therefore, you only have to watch for storms that may allow them to escape. They are most famous within the Jurassic universe for playing a key role in the latter stages of Jurassic Park 3.

1 Dimorphodon

JWE2 flying dinosaur in an aviary official

It may seem a tad disappointing that the worst flyer on the list is at the top, but it is justified. With a wingspan of just 1.5 metres, it is a small dinosaur, but one with a large head. It relies on short, manic flights to get away from predators or catch prey.

It is thought they may have hunted primarily in the tall trees of Early Jurassic Europe, as well as in shallow waters, catching fish, insects, lizards, and mammals. They make an interesting and very different addition to any park, and truly offer that unique selling point you have been looking for.

Next: Lingering Questions We Have After The End Of Jurassic World Evolution 2