It’s an oft-told story: A group of kids have visited a zoo and sit in a ‘theatre’ looking down into a pit-like stage.
The zookeeper grabs the microphone and tells the children they’re about to meet the closest related animal to the dinosaurs.
The kids look to a gate on the other side of the pit, waiting apprehensively to see what’s behind it.
Explainer: Rewriting the history of feathered dinosaurs
The gate lifts, and out runs a chicken, to much laughter and applause.
Yes, variants of this story have abounded for years.
But are dinosaurs really just big, ancient birds?
On this episode of Huh? Science Explained, Evrim Yazgin takes us back to the time of the dinosaurs to get a picture of how these magnificent beasts evolved and what eventually happened to them.
Huh? Science Explained is a LiSTNR production.
Listen to more episodes of Huh? Science Explained
Originally published by Cosmos as Are dinosaurs REALLY birds?
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.