Scientists have discovered that birds are descendants of dinosaurs, with evidence suggesting that some dinosaurs may have even been feathered as early as the Jurassic era. This is supported by skeletal similarities between birds and theropod dinosaurs, including characteristics like the hip bone structure and air-filled bones. Feathered dinosaurs, such as velociraptors, could have had the ability to fly and share a common lineage with modern birds.

2. Feathered Dinosaurs? Scientists have recently realized that birds are the descendents of dinosaurs. Not only that, but some scientists also say that dinosaurs as far back as the Jurassic era may have even been feathered!

3. The Skeleton There are a number of skeletal similarities between birds and dinosaurs. These include: The structure of the hip bone The furcula (otherwise known as the wishbone) The brooding of eggs Air-filled bones The feet – the most distinguishing feature is that both dinosaurs and birds are theropods! Feathers evolved from scales. In fact, many dinosaurs may have had feathers (including Velociraptors and baby Tyrannosauruses)

4. A T-Rex vs. A Common Bird

5. What is a Theropod? A Theorpod is the kind of bipedal dinosaur, which means they stood on two feet which each have three toes. Theropods first appeared in the late Triassic period and have evolved into contemporary birds.

6. Size of Theropods in Length

7. Fossilized Feathers Fossilized feathers were found in China that date back to the late Jurassic period. Velociraptors, made famous in Jurassic Park , were likely feathered and may have even been capable of flight.

8. What feathered dinosaurs may have looked like…

9. As an Added Bonus: Generally, What People Think of Dinosaurs: * * Not representative of any factual data

10. Resources Info: http://www.sdnhm.org/exhibits/feathered/index.html http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2002 http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theropod http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrannosaurus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giganotosaurus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velociraptor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_jay Images: http:// www.sdnhm.org/exhibits/feathered/images/dei_head.jpg http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/photogalleries/feathered_dinosaur/images/primary/feathery_dino1.jpg http://www.fossiel.net/kids/images/tyrannosaurus.gif http://www.biology-resources.com/drawing-bird-skeleton.html http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TrexFoot.jpg http://www.newscientist.com/data/images/ns/cms/dn12666/dn12666-1_294.jpg http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/images/2007/06/13/dinosaur.jpg