How did feathers evolve? - Carl Zimmer

To look at the evolution of modern bird feathers, we must start a long time ago, with the dinosaurs from whence they came. We see early incarnations of feathers on dinosaur fossils, and remnants of dinosaurs in a bird's wish bone. Carl Zimmer explores the stages of evolution and how even the reasons for feathers have evolved over millions of years.

Lesson by Carl Zimmer, animation by Armella Leung.

[axlavenue]

ok but we can all stop arguing and appreciate the art of the animation? that was so. beautiful.

[nevercallmebyname]

I wonder what other forms feathers tried to take that didn't work out.

[dojopink]

Thank you educators and animators and everyone who did this, it helps not just me but everyone who watches you

[FeliDJrah]

I actually find feathered dinosaurs to make evolutionary sense. 

For example, dinosaurs like Raptors and Troodon, found in cold climates, would have needed feathers to keep out the biting chill of the brutal Winters. Most of them were too small by Dino Standards to insulate themselves. Thus, feathers were an absolute necessity for them. 

In terms of oviraptors, like Citipati, found in the Gobi desert of Mongolia, they seem to have used the feathers to either intimidate an opponent or predator or attract a mate.
 
Finally, we come to Microraptor, Sinornithosaurus, and Rahonavis. These three evolved feathers for one thing only. Flight. For Microraptor and Sinornithosaurus, it wasn't even powered flight, but gliding. When it comes to Microraptor, it didn't have the muscles for powered flight. So, it made the most of its four wings. By holding its rear legs back, Microraptor had the ability to travel through the forest in a series of long looping glides. The bad thing was that once on the ground the long feathers turn from an advantage into weakness. Microraptor was barely able to walking, much less run. Which made it and easy target for ground base predators.

Before the discovery of Yutyrannus, scientists didn't know if such huge dinosaurs would have or need feathers, but like with all these other examples makes evolutionary sense. Which is shown today by birds.

[finniko]

So in short, feathers evolved when these early birds were threatened and they used their "wings" to get more speed for the running. Then the ones who got longer arms and bigger feathers, survived longer because they were able to escape the predators. At some time they had so long arms and big feathers that they could glide a short distance, but not yet able to fly. And this eventually led to flying.

Does this explanation sound anyhow plausible? At least for me it does.

[cadman]

Well, it's no surprise that this video would get attacked by creationist trolls with nothing better to do with their lives.  Attacking science is all they really know how to do since they can't use it to support their own position, but I digress. 
I'm not a huge fan of the incline model for feather evolution.  I prefer the tree-down model in which arboreal theropods that originally used their feathers for insulation and mating display were able to use their feathers to lessen their falls which would lead to gliding and ultimately powered flight.  Mircroraptor was a good example of this kind of adaptation and transition.   

[mck]

One of the best TED animations, really talented artist!

[AwsmUsername]

Evolution is mindboggling. Even now, when we know it so well, there's still a sense of magic to it, some things we will never know for sure.

[JIEUN]

I've never looked at feathers closely before. This video clip makes me appreciate the feathers when I found one now. It was truly interesting to learn about the history of feathers.

[theincarnationofboredom]

1:04 HEY! sinosauropteryx! i love that dinosaur!

[luvcheezchris]

Ah, i think one explanation for the evolution of the wing and tail feathers, is that early dinosaurs may have used these winged tails and arms to provide stability while running.   This explains why this high surface area feature, the feather, would be beneficial.  Instead of growing a long, fleshy, metabolically-expensive tail, evolution favored using cheap and long lasting highly efficient materials, and used the power of fractals, which further compress the alterations needed to be made to DNA.

[Treblaine]

Well what good is half a wing? Well, look at cars, particularly high performance cars, those have very crude wings on them, spoilers. These can have a huge effect on the handling of a car. Since the 1930's Car designers have realised how important aerodynamics are even for vehicles which ostensibly get all their control from the wheels.
Small simple wings are very useful for a small creature needing to move fast with manoeuvrability.

[froggyweathers]

I knew this already but my friends really hate when I saw dinosaurs are birds. So I'm going to show it to them. Can't wait The looks on there faces.

[darius-hollard]

I really wich we could see dinosaurs in their feathery beauty :')

[GuyThatWearsGSuit]

I've been wanting to know this for ages. Thanks TED.

[oanaalexia]

I liked this lesson much more than I expected. Thank you.

[Breakerblue]

Can I watch one intellectual video about science without ignorant creationists ruining it?

[heyitzrane]

Archaeopteryx? (Sorry if I spelled it wrong) Please like so it's not lost in the sea of comments..

[Plaka]

I don't believe in evolution, but i'll gladly listen to what you believe in.

[ethangold]

1:34 me when someone stares at me and then tantalises my eyes in return