Animals

Let’s learn about why turkeys are dinosaurs

All modern birds evolved from meat-eating dinosaurs called theropods

Though not as fearsome as their distant T. rex cousins, turkeys are dinosaurs, too.

Nick David/Getty Images

November 21, 2023 at 6:30 am

Here’s a fun fact for the Thanksgiving dinner table: Did you know that all modern birds, including turkeys, are dinosaurs?

Today’s feathered flyers descended from a group of meat-eating dinosaurs called theropods. That group also included famous hunters like Tyrannosaurus rex — although birds evolved from T. rex’s much smaller relatives. Birds first emerged about 150 million years ago, in the Jurassic Period. And they’re the only dinosaurs to have survived a mass extinction event 66 million years ago.

So if you celebrate Thanksgiving, you’re not just tucking into a turkey. You’re digging into a dinosaur. Happy Reverse Jurassic Park Day, everyone!

Want to know more? We’ve got some stories to get you started:

What is a dinosaur? Scientists have named more than 1,000 species of nonavian dinosaurs. Their legacy lives on in the 11,000-plus bird species alive today. (3/27/2025) Readability: 8.4

This ancient bird rocked a head like a T. rex This bird from 120 million years ago had a head like a dinosaur and a body more like today’s birds. (6/12/2023) Readability: 7.6

Early dinosaurs may have laid soft-shelled eggs Scientists for the first time have turned up evidence of fossils from soft-shelled dinosaur eggs. This has scientists rethinking how dinosaur eggs evolved. (8/3/2020) Readability: 7.8

Birds’ small size, diverse diets or ability to fly might explain why they’re the only surviving dinosaurs.

Explore more

Scientists Say: Dinosaur

Scientists Say: Jurassic

Explainer: How a fossil forms

Let’s learn about dinosaur extinction

This extinct bird boasted dinosaur-like teeth

These fuzz-covered flying reptiles had catlike whiskers

Weird new dino looked more like a duck

Hefty dinosaurs had a trick for sitting on eggs safely

Dinosaur tail preserved in amber — feathers and all

Defining a dinosaur is now far harder

Scientists are rethinking the dinosaur family tree

How to tell if a T. rex is expecting

T. rex pulverized bones with an incredible amount of force

Activities

Word find

Want to learn more about the modern dinosaurs all around you? Go birding! A few apps can help you recognize the birds in your area. To identify bird species with Merlin Bird ID, just answer a few questions, record a sound clip or snap a picture. The Audubon Bird Guide likewise helps users identify birds and share their observations.