Did Beetles Feed on Dinosaur Feathers?

In a chunk of amber (fossilized tree resin), researchers discovered bits of downy feathers and larval molts from beetles that are very similar to beetles that live today. Now, our beetles today often live in bird’s nests, nibbling away at shed bird’s feathers. But what was the headline announcing the discovery of these beetles with a few feathers? “Beetles fed on dinosaur feathers.”

Is there any evidence these feathers came from “an unknown theropod dinosaur,” as the article states? No, none at all—they look like feathers that come from birds. But because of the scientists’ assumptions about the age of the amber, the evolutionary history of birds, and the belief that dinosaurs were birds, we get a silly headline stating that beetles ate dinosaur feathers. This is a reminder that you can’t believe everything you read in science articles and need to carefully check things out for yourself.

When it comes to historical science (i.e., dealing with the unobserved past), it all comes down to an interpretation of the evidence based on a particular starting point.

When it comes to historical science (i.e., dealing with the unobserved past), it all comes down to an interpretation of the evidence based on a particular starting point. For those scientists mentioned in the article, their starting point is evolution and millions of years. They interpret all the evidence through that lens—even when it doesn’t seem to fit.

But I begin with a different starting point: the Word of God. And based on God’s Word, I understand that these feathers belonged to a bird, not an “avian dinosaur” (there’s no such thing as an avian dinosaur—so-called avian dinosaurs were just birds!). Beetles living before the flood were eating feathers just like beetles today eat feathers. It’s no surprise!

You can learn more about the question of feathered dinosaurs in these two articles: “Did Dinosaurs Turn into Birds?” and “Dinosaurs in Birds’ Clothing?”

Don’t Forget to Pray for Our Nation Today

Today is the National Day of Prayer in the US, so I wanted to close my blog by reminding you to stop and join thousands of other Christians today in prayer for America. Pray for those who lead us in the White House and locally in our own states and counties and cities. Pray for those who lead our churches. Pray that the Lord would give wisdom and call those who need to repent to repentance and faith in Christ.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1–2)

He Is the Way

Today, May 4th, is National Day of Prayer but it’s otherwise known as Star Wars Day. So we combined both in this graphic we created for social media to urge Christians to pray and to point everyone towards the truth of the gospel—Jesus is the Way, he is the Truth, and he is the Life (John 14:6).

Please join with us today in praying for our nation and praying that unbelievers come to know Christ.

Get More Answers on Answers News

The “avian dinosaur” item was discussed on Monday on Answers News with cohosts Avery Foley, Roger Patterson, and Dr. Jennifer Rivera. Answers News is our weekly news program filmed live before a studio audience here at the Creation Museum and broadcast on our Answers in Genesis YouTube channel and posted to Answers TV. We also covered the following topics:

• “Our nation’s children are all our children”?
• Where did clothing come from?
• Does algae hint at how complex life developed?
• And more!

Be sure to join us each Monday at 2 p.m. (ET) on YouTube or later that day on Answers TV for Answers News. You won’t want to miss this unique news program that gives science and culture news from a distinctly biblical and Christian perspective.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.