Paraves

Paraves is a group that includes birds and their closest dinosaur relatives. This group evolved from small, carnivorous dinosaurs known as theropods. Evidence for this connection comes from fossils like Archaeopteryx and Xiaotingia, which display a mix of reptilian and avian features, such as feathers, long arms, and specialized wrist joints.123

Theropods were a diverse group of dinosaurs, ranging from crow-sized to enormous predators like Tyrannosaurus rex. They were all bipedal, with hind legs for support and locomotion, and their forelimbs were adapted for grasping. The feet of theropods closely resembled those of modern birds. Feathers, now known to have evolved before flight, likely served purposes like insulation or display. This evolutionary link highlights that birds are, in fact, living dinosaurs.21