From T. rex to Turkey

As you gather around the table this Thanksgiving, did you know the turkey on your plate has a connection to dinosaurs that roamed the planet some 66 millions years ago? That’s right — every bird alive today, from ostriches to penguins, descends from mighty theropod dinosaurs like T. rex and Velociraptor.

Here are a few fascinating facts, courtesy of Director of Zoology & Health Sciences, Garth Spellman, that you can use to impress your friends and family at Thanksgiving dinner about turkeys and their connections to dinosaurs:

Fact One: Birds are the Only Dinosaurs Left

All modern birds, including turkeys, are direct descendants of theropod dinosaurs. Theropods are a group of bipedal, mostly carnivorous dinosaurs that include some of the most famous species, including Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor. Characterized by their hollow bones and three-toed limbs, theropods were highly diverse, ranging from massive apex predators to smaller, feathered species. Over millions of years, some theropods evolved feathers, eventually giving rise to modern birds, making them the only dinosaur lineage to survive the mass extinction 66 million years ago. 

Fact Two: Birds and Dinosaurs Share Bone Structure

Both birds and many theropod dinosaurs share a lightweight, hollow bone structure, which enhances agility and mobility. This shared feature allowed dinosaurs to move efficiently and helps modern birds achieve flight. Another fascinating connection is the wishbone, or furcula—a V-shaped neck bone found in both turkeys and theropods like T. rex. In birds, the wishbone supports flight muscles, while in dinosaurs, it likely played a role in their movement and possibly in their breathing mechanics. These anatomical similarities highlight the evolutionary link between modern birds and their prehistoric ancestors

Fact Three: Dinosaurs Had Feathers Like Turkeys

T. rex likely sported feathers, much like turkeys do today. Evidence of feathers in dinosaurs comes from fossilized bone structures known as "quill knobs" and the direct evidence of fossilized feathers. These feathers likely served purposes beyond flight, such as insulation, display, or even camouflage in their prehistoric environments.

Come SEE Teen Rex!

Have you been to the "Discovering Teen Rex” experience yet? People from across Colorado and the region are coming to the Museum to see the live preparation of the incredible T. rex fossil and discover the amazing story of how it was found by three boys in North Dakota.

Since uncovering the jaw over the summer, we just uncovered its foot. Learn here how the foot shows evidence of the T. rex-turkey connection here with this video by Dr. Tyler Lyson, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology.