Tag Archives: Evolution of Flight

Strange Tid[w]ings


The new small theropod Yi qi was described 29 April, 2015, far too late to be a practical joke for All Fools’ Day (by 4 weeks, precisely). Why would it be? The animal, described by Xu Xing and a number … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Biology, Paleobiology, Paleontology, Science Reporting | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

Really, again? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!


I honestly don’t think I can write any more on how bad Alan Feduccia’s “science” is on the subject of bird origins than I already have, here. Briefly, Dr. Alan Feduccia has teamed up with earstwhile companion in quackery Stephen … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Biology, Paleontology, Philosophy, Science Reporting | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Two Tales


Birds can have resplendent tails. Wonderful arrangements and bizarre shapes. We may all be familiar with the lyrebird, whose male’s lateral tail feathers (retrices) have been modified from their typical planar vaned structure into a pair of curly feathers bracing … Continue reading

Posted in Paleontology, Science Reporting, Taphonomy | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments