Final answer:
Birds share common traits with dinosaurs and reptiles, including feathers and eggs. They have thin, hollow bones to aid in flight. Birds are endothermic, like mammals, and can generate their own heat.
Step-by-step explanation:
Birds share a common ancestor with crocodiles and possess traits that reveal they are the direct descendants of dinosaurs. A bird's feathers are actually modified reptilian scales and provide lift for flight. Like reptiles, birds lay eggs and help conserve heat. The bones of birds are thin and hollow, and many are fused, forming a sturdy frame that anchors muscles during flight. Both birds and mammals are endothermic and able to generate their own heat to maintain body temperature.
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