
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Episode: 1
Summary
Learn about the deep evolutionary origin of birds and follow their history up to the great extinction that happened 66 million years ago.
First, I discuss what we mean when we say “bird.” What characteristics separate modern birds from other animal groups?
Then I discuss the evidence—both historical and recent—that scientists have used to determine the evolutionary history of birds.
Finally, we arrive at the answer of where birds fit on the tree of life.
Research Citations
Errors and Clarifications
Error - 05:39 min: I say that scientists have genome sequences for 'all living birds.' What I meant was that we have genome sequences for representative species within each of the living bird families.
Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website
Support the show
By Ivan Phillipsen4.8
859859 ratings
Episode: 1
Summary
Learn about the deep evolutionary origin of birds and follow their history up to the great extinction that happened 66 million years ago.
First, I discuss what we mean when we say “bird.” What characteristics separate modern birds from other animal groups?
Then I discuss the evidence—both historical and recent—that scientists have used to determine the evolutionary history of birds.
Finally, we arrive at the answer of where birds fit on the tree of life.
Research Citations
Errors and Clarifications
Error - 05:39 min: I say that scientists have genome sequences for 'all living birds.' What I meant was that we have genome sequences for representative species within each of the living bird families.
Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website
Support the show

43,815 Listeners

1,477 Listeners

1,226 Listeners

559 Listeners

659 Listeners

1,247 Listeners

24,391 Listeners

2,187 Listeners

3,398 Listeners

541 Listeners

511 Listeners

320 Listeners

1,243 Listeners

41 Listeners

163 Listeners