Birds are descended from a family of dinosaurs called theropods.

They are often called “living dinosaurs.” Apart from a few differences, birds and dinosaurs are really very similar:

BIRDS

* Shorter tail-bones

* Long, smooth, feathers for flying, scales on feet and sometimes necks

* Beaks, no teeth

* Large wings

* Light, hollow bones

DINOSAURS

* Long tails

* Scales, and short, fuzzy feathers

* Snouts, lots of teeth

* Small wings, incapable of flight

* Heavier bones