Bambiraptor feinbergi is a fossil theropod (small, meat-eating
dinosaur) species discovered in the U.S. state of Montana, in 1994. It consists
of a skeleton that is 95% complete and is dated to some 75 million years ago.
It is presented as evidence by evolutionists for “birds are dinosaurs”
theory- which has been the subject of widespread media propaganda despite being
devoid of scientific evidence.
Evolutionists point to significant anatomical similarities between
this dinosaur species and birds, and claim that this specimen might represent
an intermediate form in the alleged evolution from dinosaurs. However, this
is an entirely forced interpretation.
Firstly, this is evident in the reconstruction drawing where the
creature is shown covered with feathers. The fact is, however, that no remains
of feathers have actually been found with the fossil. (1)
In addition, the age of the fossil is much younger than earliest
members of its supposed descendants known to science. That is because Archaeopteryx,
which lived 150 million years ago, (75 million years before Bambiraptor),
is a bird capable of powered flight. It is, of course, nonsensical to suggest
that the 75-million-year-old dinosaur Bambiraptor could be the forerunner
of a taxon that dates back to 150 million years ago. Making such a claim is
the equivalent of suggesting that a boy is the ancestor of his own grandmother.
Anatomical similarities between Bambiraptor and birds
prove nothing and go no further than supplying material for prejudiced interpretations.
As there are anatomical similarities between theropods and birds, there are
also pronounced anatomical differences. The world-famous ornithologist Dr. Alan
Feduccia explains:
"Well, I've studied bird skulls for 25 years and I don't
see any similarity whatsoever. I just don't see it... The theropod origin
of birds, in my opinion, will be the greatest embarrassment of palaeontology
of the 20th century." (2)
The evolutionist claims regarding Bambiraptor
are invalid in the face of scientific evidence that totally undermines the dino-bird
theory.
Unidirectional lungs and feathers are structures unique to birds,
not found in reptiles, their alleged ancestors. The complexity of these structures
cannot be accounted for by evolution.
In land-dwelling creatures, air flow is bidirectional. Upon inhaling,
the air travels through the passages in the lungs (bronchial tubes), ending
in tiny air sacs (alveoli). The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes
place here. Then, upon exhaling, this used air makes its way back and finds
its way out of the lung by the same route.
In birds however, air is unidirectional. New air comes in one end,
and the used air goes at the other end. Thanks to special air sacs all along
the passages between them, air always flows in one direction through the avian
lung.
It is impossible for a creature to survive during the alleged evolution
of this organ. Commenting on the unique anatomy of the avian lung, the molecular
biologist Michael Denton from Otega University in Australia has written that,
it is impossible “even to think” that this evolved from the standard
vertebrate design. (3)
Feathers are entirely different structures compared to the scales
found on reptiles. As an ornithologist has put it, “in development, morphogenesis,
gene structure, protein shape and sequence, and filament formation and structure,
feathers are different.” (4)
Furthermore, the oldest feathers obtained from the fossil record
possess exactly the same structure as modern feathers, giving the lie to evolution.
(5) (These are just two of the insurmountable problems facing the “birds
are dinosaurs” theory. You can read about the others here.)
No wonder, Storrs L. Olson, the curator of birds at the Smithsonian
Institution’s Museum of Natural History, states that:
The “birds-are-dinosaurs” people have dominated this
discussion for a long time. There are a lot of problems with birds being dinosaurs,
although the theory has been publicized in the popular media. (6)
CONCLUSION:
As we have seen, the evolutionist interpretations regarding Bambiraptor
consist of forced interpretations. The portrayal of this fossil as evidence
for the “birds are dinosaurs” theory, is totally unscientific. That
applies not just to the Bambiraptor fossil, but to all fossils ascribed to the
dino-bird theory.
1 "New dinosaur find: missing link between dinos and birds?",
March 21, 2000, http://exn.ca/Html/Templates/topicpage.cfm?ID=20000321-56&Topic=Dinosaur
2 Pat Shipman, "Birds Do It... Did Dinosaurs?", New Scientist,
1 February 1997, p. 28
3 Michael J. Denton, Nature's Destiny, Free Press. New York. 1998,
p. 361
4 A. H. Brush, "On the Origin of Feathers," Journal of Evolutionary
Biology, 9:131-142, 1996
5 Martin, L. And Czerkas, S. A., “The Fossil Record of Feather Evolution
in the Mesozoic”, American Zoology, 40: 687-694, 2000; p.687
6 Larry Witham, "Sue Makes Debut in Latest Attack of Dino-Mania",
The Washington Times, June 16, 2000
