Brains On! Science podcast for kids
Are birds dinosaurs?
May 6, 2025
Jingmai O’Connor, an associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Field Museum, dives into the amazing world of birds as modern-day dinosaurs. She shares thrilling insights about how creatures like chickens are descendants of T-Rex. The conversation reveals key fossil discoveries and amusing anecdotes that make evolution accessible to kids. Plus, listeners get to play along in a fun guessing game and explore the fascinating connections between various species, highlighting how understanding our wildlife can be both exciting and educational!
37:49
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Quick takeaways
- Birds are classified as living dinosaurs, evolving from theropods like T-Rex and sharing traits such as feathers and bipedalism.
- The survival of certain bird species post-dinosaur extinction is attributed to their rapid growth, high metabolism, and dietary adaptability.
Deep dives
Birds as Living Dinosaurs
Birds are scientifically classified as living dinosaurs, specifically descended from a group known as theropods. These ancient dinosaurs, which include well-known species like T-Rex and Velociraptors, share common traits with modern birds, such as bipedalism and feathers. The connection between birds and dinosaurs is supported by significant fossil evidence showing that feathers existed on some dinosaur species long before birds emerged. This evolutionary link emphasizes the idea that when observing birds today, one is essentially witnessing a surviving lineage of prehistoric life.
