The Evolution of Birds

The evolution of birds began around 150 million years ago from small, feathered dinosaurs called theropods. These dinosaurs developed features like lightweight bones, wings, and feathers for insulation and display. Over time, some adapted these traits for flight, leading to the diverse bird species we see today. Birds inherited many characteristics from their dinosaur ancestors, such as scales on their legs and certain skull features. Their evolution reflects a gradual process of change driven by natural selection, allowing them to occupy various environments worldwide and become highly specialized in flight, feeding, and other behaviors.