Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and the American holiday wouldn’t be the same without moist slabs of gravy-drenched dinosaur meat on the table. Of course, our species was not the first to dine on dinosaur, not by a long shot, but we do it with a bit more style than the alligators, lice, sharks, and other creatures I mention over in my new Slate article on Mesozoic dinosaur feastsmy new Slate article on Mesozoic dinosaur feastsmy new Slate article on Mesozoic dinosaur feasts.
Given the nature of the celebration, it’s only fitting that I present some leftovers, too – some of my favorite posts about prehistoric birds. Imagine what the giant Eocene bird Diatryma, or South America’s fearsome terror birds, could contribute to the turducken trend. The fossil record has also introduced us to huge, colorful penguins and pumped-up storks that probably squabbled with island-dwelling hominins over dwarf elephant carcasses, though neither of them was quite so strange as the banana-winged Xenicibisthe banana-winged Xenicibis. Not every prehistoric bird is known from bones, though – feathers and eggshells can tell us about ancient birdlife, as well. (And I should mention that if you happen to be in the mood for fresher fare, this new paper about how feathery dinosaur arms evolved to become true wings is worth a read.) Indeed, birds have been carrying on the dinosaur legacy ever since the end-Cretaceous cataclysm wiped out their relatives 66 million years ago, and their relationship to Velociraptor and kin can be clearly seen in the anatomy of your holiday bird.
Go Further
Animals
- How scientists are piecing together a sperm whale ‘alphabet’How scientists are piecing together a sperm whale ‘alphabet’
- Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first timeOrangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- This fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then dieThis fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate—then die
Environment
- This floating flower is beautiful—but it's wreaking havoc on NigeriaThis floating flower is beautiful—but it's wreaking havoc on Nigeria
- What the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disasterWhat the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disaster
- What La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planetsWhat La Palma's 'lava tubes' tell us about life on other planets
- How fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitionsHow fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitions
- Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here's why.
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
History & Culture
- These were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ eraThese were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ era
- A short history of the Met Gala and its iconic looksA short history of the Met Gala and its iconic looks
- Meet the ruthless king who unified the Kingdom of Hawai'iMeet the ruthless king who unified the Kingdom of Hawai'i
Science
- Why trigger points cause so much pain—and how you can relieve itWhy trigger points cause so much pain—and how you can relieve it
- Why ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevityWhy ovaries are so crucial to women’s health and longevity
Travel
- What it's like trekking with the Bedouin on Egypt's Sinai TrailWhat it's like trekking with the Bedouin on Egypt's Sinai Trail
