From Deinonychus to the Dinner Table: The Link Between Birds and Dinosaurs

Explore the fascinating evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds in this 26-minute virtual speaker series talk by Dr. Emily Bamforth. Delve into the taxonomy of families and examine the dinosaur family tree to uncover the clues that connect these ancient reptiles to modern avian species. Discover the key features that bridge the gap, including feathers and their evolution, scales, hollow bones, air sacs, swivel wrists, eggs, bipedalism, wishbones, and cloacae. Learn about the compelling DNA evidence supporting this connection. From the introduction's lighthearted joke to the comprehensive conclusion, gain a deeper understanding of how creatures like Deinonychus paved the way for the birds we see at our dinner tables today.