asimplejourney

more people need to know they’re real because look at this, this is some real walking with dinosaurs shit

they have powerful legs allowing them to run up to 20mph and leap to impressive heights with ease

they are extremely swift and fearless, quick enough to take down a sizable rattlesnake and other large prey animals like lizards and mice

they have several unique adaptations to thermoregulate, such as the dark patch of feathers on their back which acts as a solar panel to absorb heat, or its crest that either releases or absorbs heat by exposing its skin

they have these long, stiff tailfeathers that they use as a counterbalance when running, very reminiscent of the rod-like tail of a dromaeosaur

and they are capable of bursts of flight/gliding with incredibly beautiful plumage