Customer Reviews

The Origin and Evolution of Birds

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The Origin and Evolution of Birds is an excellent ornithological text. The views on the evolution of Aves are very good. However, where this book is most controversial is the discussion of the origin of birds. Feduccia does not subscribe to the generally accepted theory that birds are derived from dinosaurs. Most of the evidence he sites against this hypothesis has been refuted, so take caution in the first two chapters. The rest of the book is an excellent synopsis of bird evolution up to 1996. Though some of his classifications in the tables are conservative, the book discusses the evolution of bird groups very well. The section on the land birds can be considered a classic text. The other bird evolution chapters are very good as well. Feduccia even gives a good case for conservation. The book is all together, excellent.

This is a very interesting book which is roughly composed of two parts. One concerns the origin of bird & hypothetical development of flight. The other is of earlier birds from Cretaceous onward.
As for the second part, it's enjoyable with interesting & exciting discoveries.
On the contrary, the first part especially against the dinosaur-bird origin theory, it's rather disgusting. (I'm on the side of that theory)
His incisive hostility (maybe personal?) degrades author's personality. Unfortunately his refutations are out of point. The worse is that those reveal his lack of information or knowledge about the recent advanced study with extraordinary high pitch of dinosaurs.
If one tries to step in other's territory, should be fully prepared & equipped with the most updated data instead of superficial & only intuitive ones.
His alternative hypothesis (arboreal ancestral form) is needed much much more investigation & observation of the existent animals and analysis of their mechanism. Otherwise no supporter of dinosaur-bird theory would convert himself to his follower.