Creation Revolution

Archaeopteryx – Flying Bird or Flying Dinosaur?

One of the most famous fossils of all time is that of Archaeopteryx.  At first it was declared to be the first flying dinosaur.  Then it was declared to be a primitive bird, then a dinosaur and then a bird.

Now, researchers from Brown University are again claiming that Archaeopteryx is a winged dinosaur that was fully capable of flight.  Their study focused not on the skeletal structure but on the structure of the feathers.  They already had a preconceived notion that Archaeopteryx was a dinosaur.

They used microscopic examination of the fossil and came to the conclusion that the feathers were most likely black and that they were virtually identical to those of modern living birds.  Everything about the feathers indicated that Archaeopteryx was fully capable of flight.

And like all sensational journalism, articles appear claiming that the feathers proved a dinosaur could fly, further brainwashing the general public to accept that dinosaurs evolved into birds.  Nowadays most Americans don’t have or don’t use any sense of reason or discernment when they read news articles like these.  They blindly accept what the evolutionists write and say without questioning the accuracy or truthfulness of the story.

So is Archaeopteryx a dinosaur or is it a bird.

Upon careful examination of the Archaeopteryx fossil, one will see a number of features that are unique to birds and NOT to dinosaurs.  Those features include:

• Perching Feet – The feet of the Archaeopteryx were structured like those of today’s perching birds.  Perching feet also require fully functional flight feathers capable of producing the air turbulence necessary for a bird to land on a branch.
• Wishbone – Archaeopteryx had a well-developed and large wishbone like most modern flying birds have.  The wishbone provides strong and flexible attachment for the powerful muscles used in the down stroke of flight.
• Bird Lung – Archaeopteryx had the same lung design as found in birds, not dinosaurs.
• Bird Brain – The brain of the Archaeopteryx is shaped and structured like the brains of birds and not dinosaurs.  Like birds, Archaeopteryx’s brain is nearly triple the size of a dinosaur with a similar body size.  The Archaeopteryx brain also had well developed optic lobes like that of birds which are needed to help process the visual signals and acuity required for flight.
• Inner Ear – The inner ear of Archaeopteryx was structured like the inner ear of modern birds.  Both the semicircular canal and cochlea match those of birds which not only allowed them to hear like birds, but also provided the same sense of balance which is a necessity for controlled flight.
• Wing Shape – Many modern woodland birds have an elliptical shape to their wings and Archaeopteryx had similarly shaped wings.

As you can see from the physical evidence of Archaeopteryx, it was a bird and not a dinosaur.  Had the researchers from Brown University declared that they proved that an ancient bird could fly, no one would pay them any attention.  But if they declared that they proved a dinosaur could fly, they will get attention and recognition which will bring in grant money to the college and help gain the researcher’s tenure.  Sadly to say, this is typical of the fraudulent sensationalism used by some evolutionists to gain fame and proselytize their godless religion.

References

New Research Shows Feathered Dinosaur Could Fly, Red Orbit, Jan 25, 2012.

Sarfati, Jonathan.  Birds: fliers from the beginning, Creation, 29(3), p 27, June 2007.

Winged Dinosaur Archaeopteryx Dressed for Flight, Science Daily, Jan 24, 2012.

Adventures of Arkie the Archaeopteryx

Join Arkie the Archaeopteryx as he flies through an ancient jungle and meets many unique creatures that are also not missing links. This delightful adventure helps children look at the natural world through a biblical lens, giving glory to God.

(PreschoolPrimary/Elementary)

Hardback, 48 pages