Theropods were the Birds’ Ancestors, Says a New Study

Over a period of 50 million years the dinosaurs consistently reduced in size to give rise to the small modern birds. An international group of researchers has concluded after drawing an all-inclusive dinosaur family tree with the giants at the top and the small birds as the descendants.
According to Darren Naish, co-author of the study and a paleontologist at the University of Southampton, a group of the dinosaurs known as the theropods evolved faster than members of other groups. Through evolution, they developed features such as wishbones to enable them adapt to changing conditions.read more