Lets think in evolutionary terms. An organism adapts to its environment and the organisms that are successful (ie. are able to survive), can reproduce and populate the environment to its able capacity. This is only a simple view of evolution, since within any environment there are several, if not an infinite number of adaptive factors. This makes evolution a very complex, if not chaotic, process. Evolution is unpredictable. This is what scientists have to think about and deal with when they study fossils and even living organisms. For birds, there is another factor that is rarely thought of but is very important. This is the function of flight. Both evolution and the function of flight are unpredictable processes or functions. This can be proven, by throwing three paper aeroplanes. Fold each sheet of paper the same way into your aeroplanes. Throw each aeroplane the same way and you while hopefully notice that each plane flies differently. How can two chaotic process work together to create such a creature? I have been thinking about this idea for a long time and all that I can do is be truly amazed that out of the obstacles of evolution and the process of flying that an organism can master the power of flight. As a result these unpredictable process, the evolution of birds remains a challenge to the palaeontologists.
Although the recent fossil evidence has opened a realm of scientific inquiry, it has also exposed our relative ignorance about the first 85 million years of avian history. Further research is needed before a more comprehensive, finely tuned understanding is put together. To conclude this section of the Hooper museum, I would like to leave you with a comical interpretation on how birds learned to fly. You never know this cartoon may have the right idea....
