Unravelling Feathered Dinosaurs: Evolution Insights

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Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

“One of the most pivotal evolutionary trends within Theropoda (the clade of bipedal dinosaurs) was the gradual miniaturization of species leading up to the origin of birds. This reduction in body size, often coupled with morphological refinements, played a key role in the development of flight-related adaptations.”

Unlock Newsletter 4 to explore the evolutionary journey from theropods to birds, meet Archaeopteryx, and uncover how feathers before flight reshaped natural history.

**A moment in stone:** The Berlin specimen of *Archaeopteryx* (HMN 1880). Image credit: Berlin Museum of Natural History, 2025.

You will unlock:

Feathers Before Flight: Origins of plumage long before true flight.
Avian Evolution Unpacked: Key traits that bridged dinosaurs and birds.
Archaeopteryx: The fossil that changed everything.
And More: Colour, feathers, quills, and fossil evidence rewriting evolution.

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Published by James Ronan

James is a UK-based vertebrate palaeontologist and science communicator with an MSc in Palaeobiology from the University of Bristol. He studies fossils, explores the past, and brings palaeontology to life through engaging outreach. His mission? To spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and make palaeontology an unforgettable experience. You can follow James on Twitter @ThePalaeoMinute. View all posts by James Ronan