Feathered Dinosaurs

Scientists have recovered more than a billion fossils, but no discovery has been more breath-taking than the fossils recently found in northern China, findings which prove that several families of dinosaurs had feathers, or feathery hair-like coverings, adorning their bodies. Now in the beautifully designed Feathered Dinosaurs, paleontologist John Long and illustrator Peter Schouten provide a stunning visual record of these extraordinary prehistoric creatures, illuminating the evolutionary march from primitive, feathered dinosaurs through to the first true flying birds. Schouten, an acclaimed natural history artist, has created 80 full-color paintings that capture the striking physical traits of these feathered dinosaurs. Drawing on his extensive knowledge of the lifestyles of modern birds and mammals, plus the extant scientific data regarding how these dinosaurs might have looked and behaved, Schouten has produced not only the most beautiful but also the most accurate visual representations of these animals in print. Equally important, John Long, a noted paleontologist and widely published science author (with some 24 books to his credit), provides an engaging companion text that places these feathered dinosaurs within the larger family of dinosaurs--for instance, outlining their relationship to T. Rex and Velociraptor, species well known to Jurassic Park fans--and discusses the factual information that can be deduced from their fossil remains, in effect providing an insightful natural history of this remarkable group. A true marriage of art and science, Feathered Dinosaurs presents an unprecedented visual record of one of the most significant breakthroughs in the history of vertebrate paleontology--the discovery that many predatory dinosaurs were cloaked with feathers, perhaps just as colorful and fanciful as those of their living relatives.

The idea of an evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds has changed from a view held by only a few to a general consensus. This work spotlights the some new finds and shows how scientists studied the fossils of dinosaurs and primitive birds.

Examines some of the feathered dinosaurs, including the caudipetryx, the archaeopteryx, and the sinosauropteryx.

It is time for young Neffy to go for her first, beautifully illustrated solo flight--but she doesn't know how!

Millions of years ago, before there were red-breasted robins and busy blue jays . . . there were feathered dinosaurs. Scientists have found evidence that Anchiornis, Caudipteryx, Confuciusornis, and many more dinosaurs all had feathers. Discover these amazing ancient creatures--and the connection between feathered dinosaurs and modern-day birds!

A stunning visual record of feathered dinosaurs illuminates the evolutionary march from these extraordinary prehistoric creatures through to the first true flying birds and includes an engaging companion text that places these feathered dinosaurs within the larger family of dinosaurs.

The setting -- Osteology and Ichnology -- Eggs, nests, feathers, and flight.

Step back in time 124 million years to Liaoning, China, and see what life was like in this ancient ecosystem. Follow several recently discovered dinosaur species through a typical day, as they feed, fight, hunt, and try to survive. Scientific sculptor and illustrator Gregory Wenzel takes readers inside the world of the feathered dinosaurs and sheds light on the link betweeen dinosaurs and birds.