Not many of you might be aware of the fact that there is a link between dinosaurs and birds that was established since the times of Charles Darwin. The “Dinosaurs Among Us” exhibit that has opened at the American Museum of Natural History aims to disperse some common misconceptions that are usually presented in the movies.

The show opened yesterday on March 21 and explores the link between the modern birds of our times and the prehistoric dinosaurs. Visitors get a unique chance to view various fossils and dinosaur and bird models until January 2 next year when the show will close. You will be able to see different creatures, from the huge Yutyrannus that stood tall at 23 feet to Anchiornis huxleyi which reached the size of a pigeon.

While the idea that the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex and a pigeon are related might bring a couple of laughs, it is nonetheless true. Birds are the only animals left on Earth that can truly be considered as part of the ancestors of our planet. The name of the exhibit stresses this out, as we are still currently living with dinosaurs, one way or another.

The main purpose of “Dinosaurs Among Us” is to explore the connection between the feathered creatures and the ancient animals that did not even share the world with us at the same time. While we have seen in movies such as Jurassic Park that dinosaurs are mostly similar to today’s reptiles, the interior of the beasts is very much bird-like, from their brains and habits to their hollow bones and feathers.

According to the curator of the exhibit, Mark Norell, imagining dinosaurs with bird behaviors is simply fascinating, such as displaying their feather to either intimidate their enemies or to mate. He believes it is truly a pity that these details have not been closely observed.

Should you visit the exposition, you will be able to view a wide variety of feathers, as well as the numerous similarities between the two types of animals. According to paleontology researcher Ashley Heers from the American Museum of Natural History, researchers are currently discovering more similarities, such as their movement and their brooding over the nests.

The exhibit will be open for all for nine months during which visitors will understand that we are still living with about 13,000 species of modern flying dinosaurs.

Image Source: METRO