Birds Did Not Evolve From Theropod Dinosaurs
09 June 2009
Popular movies or TV shows often dogmatically teach that birds evolved from dinosaurs over the past 100 million years but rarely comment on the fact that some scientists disagree. A study from Oregon State University recently explained another reason why it is not possible for dinosaurs to be the ancestor of modern birds.
Some of the differences between birds and dinosaurs:
Birds are “warm blooded” and endothermically (internally) regulate their body temperature. Reptiles are “cold blooded” and ectothermically (externally) regulate their body temperature.
Birds have a very high metabolism and a need for large amounts of oxygen. Reptiles are usually lethargic and not very active.
Birds have special respiratory systems that utilize air sacks allowing air to always flow in one direction through the lung and maximize the oxygen extraction rate. Reptiles have lungs similar to humans where air flows both directions (in then out).
When you watch a bird breathe they externally appear to function in the same way as a human but internally the birds lungs are much different from other animals. While inhaling the clean air passes through the lungs, extracts the oxygen, and then that used air is stored in anterior air sacks. At the same time some clean air also fills the posterior air sacks for use during the exhale cycle. When the exhale cycle begins a check valve closes that allows the anterior air sack to discharge the used air and allows the clean air in the posterior air sacks to discharge through the lungs and extract the oxygen. While inhaling and exhaling air is always moving in one direction through the bird lungs. (see photo) This unique design produces about 20 times more oxygen flow than a reptile lung.
The study from OSU focused on the femur and leg structure of birds compared to dinosaurs.
“It’s been known for decades that the femur, or thigh bone in birds is largely fixed and makes birds into “knee runners,” unlike virtually all other land animals,” the OSU experts say. “What was just discovered, however, is that it’s this fixed position of bird bones and musculature that keeps their air-sac lung from collapsing when the bird inhales.”
“The position of the thigh bone and muscles in birds is critical to their lung function, which in turn is what gives them enough lung capacity for flight.”
Almost every other animal that walks on land uses their hip as the pivot point to move their legs. This includes the birds supposed evolutionary precursor the theropod dinosaur. While there are thousands of empirical, observable, measurable, differences between birds and reptiles this is just another example of how real science can be used to refute the pseudo-science (unobservable, unmeasurable, unrepeatable) of evolution.
So after drawing the conclusion that dinosaurs could not have evolved into birds did the researchers conclude that birds are fearfully and wonderfully made and intricately designed to fly? Of course not. They just added more of the magic ingredient: time.
Reptile + 65 million years = Bird --- No
Reptile + 120 million years = Bird --- No
Reptile + 200 million years = Bird --- Maybe
Reptile + 300 million years = Bird --- Of Course
The Bible clearly teaches that birds were created on day 5 of the creation week and land reptiles were created on day 6. The Bible is not a science book, but when it speaks on science it speaks accurately. All of the real science (observable science) points us to the conclusion that one kind of animal can not evolve into another kind of animal. In the beginning the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and if He is the creator then He is also the owner and has the right to tell us how to live. If you have transgressed His law then you will be guilty, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5)
