Are Dinosaurs more Lizard/Reptile or are they more like a bird?

[Valyndris]

Here is a picture of my blue and gold T-Rex (macaw) Jacob, he is eating his favorite, beef, like a T-Rex probably would. I know macaws aren't supposed to eat meat but he loves it so much so I give him a little piece once in a while. I've always called him a T-Rex as he bites really hard and also looks like one. He has his T-Rex moments where he tosses his toys around like a psycho and I always tell him to stop being such a T-Rex. lol


Here are some pictures I drew depicting what Jacob would look like back in the day as a dinosaur. These look more like raptors but I guess so does he, I just call him a T-Rex because of how scary he can be and how hard he chomps.




These are just drawings and aren't of any real dinosaurs but it was fun portraying my macaw as dinosaurs.

[ladywhipple02]

I actually read paleontological articles and books in my spare time so here's the common consensus among most scientists today:

Birds are dinosaurs. They evolved from a few specific lines of theropod dinosaurs (most likely the Dromaeosaurs which are your typical 'raptors, etc). By the time the meteor hit, there were already birds in the sky and they had already diverged from their dinosaur brethren. The reason they weren't taken out is the same reason we are around: our tiny mammalian ancestors were too small. We were able to burrow and hide in places that the monsters of the time weren't. They were also opportunistic - they could probably eat a mixtures of plants, seeds, and meat, which allowed them to survive after the big boom.

Reptiles such as turtles, crocs, lizards, etc all evolved completely separately from the dinosaurs and can typically be traced to FAR older biological timelines. They also survived the big crash most likely due to size, diet, etc.



Here's a really great book for those that are interested in this sort of thing (and I promise it's not boring - the author is a contemporary paleontologist, and he tells his story with a lot of fun): The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte

[FollowTheSun]

There has been a lot of research showing that birds are very closely related to dinosaurs. Their feathers are basically modified scales. They have hollow bones just like dinosaurs. Anatomy is very similar. There have been recent discoveries of some "transitional" creatures that are dinosaurs with feathers. All very fascinating. I was lucky enough to see Sue the famous T. Rex at Chicago's Field Museum a few months ago and I could totally see it.

And, after working closely with my daughter's chicken this year, I can totally see them as tiny dinosaurs. (but we don't eat chicken or other meat so lucky for her!)

[FollowTheSun]

Ever seen a roadrunner or a heron move, hunt, or eat? Better than watching Jurassic Park.

Man, now I want to eat a dinosaur.

Just watch a chicken run around all excited chasing after some bug in the yard. Same effect!

[MasonC2K]

It's nice to speculate but without a time machine we will never know.

[Skeptiball]