Scientists discovered color producing molecules for the first time ever in the 47 million year old feather of a bird. They were able to use the color producing molecules that survived to determine what the bird would have looked like. Because birds evolved from some types of dinosaurs, the scientists believe that now not only will they be able to tell what other birds looked like, but they also might be able to tell what colors some of the other dinosaurs were. This discovery will be a great step forward for scientists as they can make more accurate guesses as to what life on Earth looked like in its earlier stages!
Scientists thought the ancient bird would have looked similar to the bird in this picture, a starling.
http://rightofmiddle.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/european-starling.jpg
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/science/01feath.html?scp=1&sq=fossils&st=cse
^ link to the article above
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