Are birds decedents of dinosaurs?

Answer 1

This is the predominant theory right now - that birds are modern day dinosaurs and more closely related to dinosaurs than reptiles! I own pet birds and I must say that some days they do things that remind me of dinosaurs, especially the Velociraptors in the movie Jurassic Park. LOL

Answer 2

As pretty much everything is, technically, just not always the huge ones. They have fossil evidence showing most of the major changes from reptile to bird including growing feathers (modified scales) and loosing the teeth. There are a few living species of birds that still have spots where teeth were (can't tell you which ones off hand). Their closest relative is considered to probably be the crocodyle.
As for cladistics, they are considered part of the reptile clade.

Answer 3

Yes. Scales and feathers are a lot alike. You'll notice that birds still retain their scales on their legs. Even genetically they are very much alike. Slight mutation can cause the scales on their legs to transform into feathers. Transitional fossils have been found between the two as well.

Answer 4

That is one of the theories...that some of the species that survived the mass extinction event eventually evolved into birds, and with the recent discovery of the clavicle in some species (the shoulder bone that has, evolved in birds to be the wishbone) lends some degree of support to the idea...but the jury is still out...

Answer 5

That is what they say! I just saw a show that they found feathers on a young tyranasaur fossil!

Answer 6

Check out this site:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/dinobird/story.htm

Answer 7

yes they are