Evolution: Made of keratin, feathers are essentially modified scales that pre-date the evolution of modern birds. Feathers may not have initially evolved for flight but may have been used for insulation and communication. Many flightless species of dinosaurs, such as †𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺, had feathers preserved in the fossil record. †𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 had feathers extending from the tail which are believed to be used for show, likely having colourful feathers to attract a mate and communicate. The colour of many dinosaurs can even be discovered by looking at small details in the fossil. In some fossilized †𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘳 specimens, small structures were found in the feathers, structures like that of many modern birds that display iridescence. These structures refract light in such a way as to create a wide spectrum of colour that are used by modern birds to communicate with others of the same species.
Sources:
Black, Riley. "Microraptor was a Glossy Dinosaur." Smithsonian Magazine, The Smithsonian Institution , 9 Mar. 2012, www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/microraptor-was-a-glossy-dinosaur-119691559/#:~:text=Microraptor%20feathers%20were%20iridescent%20blue,quite%20fashionable%20among%20feathered%20dinosaurs. Accessed 28 Jan. 2023. Prum, Richard O. "Moulting Tail Feathers in a Juvenile Oviraptorisaur." Nature, 3 Nov. 2010, www.nature.com/articles/nature09480. Accessed 28 Jan. 2023. Storer, Robert W. "Birds - Evolution and Paleontology." Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/animal/bird-animal/The-origin-of-feathers. Accessed 28 Jan. 2023. |