Recent, apparent confirmation that the digits of the avian manus are II, III, and IV, and not I, II, and III as in theropods, brings into question the purported homologies thought by many to have existed between the wrist and manus of early birds and those of maniraptoran theropods. A close examination of the wrist and manus of five archaeopterygians confirms the presence of numerous previously recognized, as well as unrecognized, derived avian characters. These include, but are not limited to, Metacarpal II very short, slightly wrapping around and probably fused to Metacarpal III for much of its length; Metacarpal II with small Processus extensorius for attachment of M. extensor carpi radialis; Metacarpal IV with proximal end lying well distal to proximal ends of metacarpals II and III, wrapping under and fused to ventral surface of Metacarpal III; joint between Metacarpal II and Phalanx 1 of Digit II ginglymoid near plane of wing, allowing Digit II to function as a primitive alula; joints between metacarpals III and IV and their respective phalanges relatively immobile; and “palmar” surfaces of distal phalanges facing anteroventrad or anteriad when wing is extended. The above features are not found in theropods, but their more highly derived counterparts are found in all modern birds with wings, whether volant or not. The avian, rather than theropodian, structure of the wrist and manus of archaeopterygians indicates significant functional differences between the forelimbs of archaeopterygians and theropods, which is not surprising if different digits are involved. Some prominent “feathered dinosaurs” are recognized as having a more advanced avian manus than that found in archaeopterygians, indicating their avian, rather than dinosaurian, ancestry.