'Their greatest challenge since they stared down the asteroid': Paleontologist Steve Brusatte on why birds are facing their biggest existential threat since the dino-killing asteroid
Paleontologist Steve Brusatte explains in his new book how birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, survived the asteroid extinction that wiped out their relatives, and are now facing their greatest threat due to human-driven environmental changes. While birds possess traits like feathers and flight that originated in non-avian dinosaurs, modern pressures such as habitat loss and climate change are driving rapid population declines. Brusatte emphasizes that birds are dinosaurs in the same way other species belong to their broader taxonomic groups. He argues that the current era may be the most dangerous for birds since the Cretaceous extinction.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Animals Birds 'Their greatest challenge since they stared down the asteroid': Paleontologist Steve Brusatte on why birds are facing their biggest existential threat since the dino-killing asteroid MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Interview By Laura Geggel published 28 April 2026 In a new book, paleontologist Steve Brustatte tells the wild story of how birds evolved during the Jurassic and took to the skies, surviving the asteroid strike that killed their fellow dinosaurs. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Some birds survived the end-Cretaceous mass extinction thanks to a variety of features, including their ability to grow quickly and fly.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Live Science.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Live Science
