Despite having many avian characteristics, Microraptor is often reconstructed to look like a transitional form between dinosaurs and birds. A creationist reconstruction of Microraptor is needed to show how birdlike it would have appeared in life. The author performs a systematic, comparative anatomy of both form and function to show whether Microraptor would have appeared avian or reptilian. Comparing the forelimb, hindlimb, tail, and skull anatomy of Microraptor with dinosaurs and both extinct and extant birds shows that Microraptor had an avian hand with a swivel wrist and flight feathers, wings capable of full flapping motion, wings that folded against the body at rest, crouched legs that pivoted from a stable knee, hip structure to support avian walking, a short tail with unfused pygostyle, and a beaked rostrum. These characteristics show that Microraptor had an appearance very similar to that of a modern bird.