How Birds Survived THE DINOSAURS' DOOMSDAY.
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| Title: | How Birds Survived THE DINOSAURS' DOOMSDAY. |
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| Authors: | BRUSATTE, STEVE (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Scientific American. May2026, Vol. 334 Issue 5, p44-51. 8p. 2 Color Photographs, 1 Diagram. |
| Subjects: | Dinosaur extinction, Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, Biological adaptation, Paleontology, Bird ecology, Bird conservation, Impact of asteroids with Earth |
| Abstract: | The article focuses on explaining why birds were the only dinosaurs to survive the end-Cretaceous mass extinction 66 million years ago. It highlights that while most dinosaurs, including many feathered species, perished due to their large size, slow growth, and dependence on forest habitats, only small, fast-growing modern birds (the crown group) survived. Key survival traits included living on or near water, having beaks adapted for eating seeds, strong flight capabilities, and rapid maturation. These factors, combined with their habitat and diet, allowed modern birds such as Vegavis and Asteriornis to endure the catastrophic aftermath of the asteroid impact, leading to the diverse bird lineages present today. [Extracted from the article] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | The article focuses on explaining why birds were the only dinosaurs to survive the end-Cretaceous mass extinction 66 million years ago. It highlights that while most dinosaurs, including many feathered species, perished due to their large size, slow growth, and dependence on forest habitats, only small, fast-growing modern birds (the crown group) survived. Key survival traits included living on or near water, having beaks adapted for eating seeds, strong flight capabilities, and rapid maturation. These factors, combined with their habitat and diet, allowed modern birds such as Vegavis and Asteriornis to endure the catastrophic aftermath of the asteroid impact, leading to the diverse bird lineages present today. [Extracted from the article] |
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| ISSN: | 00368733 |
