TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Did Feathers Evolve?
To look at the evolution of modern bird feathers, we must start a long time ago, with the dinosaurs from whence they came. Carl Zimmer explores the stages of evolution and how even the reasons for feathers have evolved over millions of...
University of California
Ucmp: The Evolution of Flight in Birds
Evidence from the fossil record is used to support bird evolution from small carnivorous dinosaurs. In the student module, feathers, behavior, and skeletal structure are examined in an interactive lesson designed to impart a complete...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Hhmi: Bio Interactive: Great Transitions: The Origin of Birds
Discover how birds descended from dinosaurs. Learn about the evidence scientist are uncovering to find out about the origin of birds. Throughout the video, there are embedded quiz modules that test students' understanding. [18:59]
University of California
Ucmp: Aves: Fossil Record
A very good article on the fossil evidence and the prominent theory on the evolution of birds. Addresses both sides and presents information. Predominently agrees with the pro-dinosaurian point of view.
University of Guelph
Canada's Aquatic Environment/evolution of Birds
A good site that goes over the similarities and differences of reptiles and birds. Good look at the issue from a seemingly neutral view.
University of California
Ucmp: Systematics
A good overview of the radiation within the class through geologic time.
University of Guelph
Aquatic Environments: Birds
A great site for bird lovers or anyone seeking interesting information on birds. Provides links to other bird links such as bird species, descriptions, game and more!
Talk Origins Archive
Talk Origins: All About Archaeopteryx
Good site which appears to take an unbiased approach to examining the wealth of evidence about the origins of birds. Provides tons of information about specimens, features, feather development, and more.
PBS
Pbs/evolution: Birds Arrived Comparitively Late
Good discussion of both sides of the debate over the origins of birds. Presents the recent evidence that seems to lean in the direction of the pro-dinosaur ancestry argument.
Other
University of Bristol: The Evolution of Birds
A short but effective synopsis providing much of the information collected over the years in terms of deciding the evolutionary ancestry issue. Article takes the pro-dinosaurian stance in the end, but includes good, if not brief,...
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: Birds
This lesson plan explores the evidence that birds evolved from dinosaurs, as well as how we can make judgments about such issues based on scientific research.
San Diego Zoo Global
San Diego Zoo: Birds
This resource provides detailed information about birds, as well as several pictures.
Other
Ornithology: The Evolution of Birds
Site provides a good overview of avian evolution debate without taking a firm stance on the dino-ancestry issue. Gives the broad ideas concerning bird origin and evolution.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Bird Evolution
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Overview of how birds evolved from dinosaurs.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: Diversity of Birds
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] About 10,000 bird species belong to 29 different orders within the class Aves. The diversity among birds is striking. Birds can vary greatly in size and color. Some...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Birds Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide covers the main terms and concepts needed for a biology unit on birds.
University of California
Ucmp: Birds Decendents of Dinosaurs
This site from the University of California, Berkeley contains general information and links to information about the fossil record of birds, the life history of birds, the systematics of birds, and the morphology of birds.
PBS
Pbs the Life of Birds: Evolution and Anatomy of Flight
This lesson plan, designed to accompany the PBS series "Life of Birds," explores how environmental pressures influenced the evolution of wings, how natural selection resulted in the diversity of bird species, and the mechanics of bird...