A Field Guide to Mesozoic Birds and other Winged Dinosaurs

Description

A comprehensive illustrated guide to the birds of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and their dinosaurian forebears. Each species is illustrated in multiple views with size and distinguishing features highlighted. Includes introduction summarizing current research into bird origins and evolution, and what we know (and don't know) about the life appearance and habits of the first birds. Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Page Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Defining "Birds" Bird Origins & Evolution Bird Ancestry The Origin of Feathers The First Birds Mesozoic Bird Diversity The Evolution of Flight Restoring Mesozoic Birds Feathers &Wings Beaks &Teeth Feather Color Guide to Mesozoic Birds About the Guide Basal Caenagnathiformes Caenagnathoids Basal Eumaniraptorans & Deinonychosaurians Microraptorians Eudromaeosaurians Unenlagiines Troodontids Basal Avialans Basal Enantiornitheans Eoenantiornithiformes Cathayornithiformes Enantiornithiformes Basal Euornitheans Patagopterygiformes Derived Euornitheans & Basal Carinatans Avians Hesperornitheans Appendix A: Excluded Species Appendix B: Clade Definitions Appendix C: Evolutionary Linnaean Classification Glossary References