national aviary >> becoming a bird

THE BIG DEAL: THE FEATHER
It's what makes a bird a bird. It's perfect for flying, is great for keeping warm, and comes in so many colors and patterns. Maybe the most amazing thing about feathers is that they're made out of the same stuff as your toenails.

DEAD OR ALIVE
Dinosaurs are all extinct. So is the dodo. Meet some of the birds that only exist as fossils or stuffed specimens.

ARE BIRDS DINOSAURS?
Scientists keep on discovering more about the first birds. That hasn't made it any easier for them to agree on the differences between birds and dinosaurs. Debate this topic with your class.