This answer is rather contentious because there are views from both Evolutionists and Creationists on this issue. Without prejudice to who is correct, since Evolutionists make the claim that such a transformation occurred, the Evolutionist Perspective will come first, followed by the Creationist Perspective.
Evolutionist Views:
Answer 1
Fossils have been found showing that several species of ornithischian ("bird-hipped") dinosaurs grew feathers for warmth, although they could not fly. The most recently discovered of these, a pigeon-sized feathered dinosaur named Epidexipteryx hui, had four prominent tail feathers apparently used for display, either to attract a mate or to intimidate rivals. So, bird-hipped dinosaurs were clearly a step in the evolution of birds.
A few million years later than Epidexipteryx hui came Archaeopterix, a bird that still had some dinosaur features. So, the evolution of birds from dinosaurs may have needed millions of years to happen, but it happened.
Answer 2
By Evolution and Mutation. "Research since the 1970s indicates that theropod dinosaurs are most likely the ancestors of birds; in fact, most paleontologists regard birds as the only surviving dinosaurs and some believe dinosaurs and birds should be put together under one biological class."
Answer 3
Adaptations in the skeletons of theropod dinosaurs that gave them advantages in balance and quickness in capturing prey were combined with the development of insulating feathers that may also have assisted in mate displaying, to form the basics of a wing. With the evolution of the tuft of specialized feathers known as the alula, the ability was there to fly at slow speeds with a measured amount of control.
As of this writing, November, 2008, the oldest known bird fossil is Archaeopteryx lithographica. This animal had three toes, long legs and an extended spine which formed a tail, a vestigal trait seen in embryonic chickens today. The teeth and jawbone were similar to that of small dinosaurs.
Present in the theropod dinosaurs before the time of Archaeopteryx were the presence of hollow bones, three-toed feet, backward pointing pelvic bones, and the characteristic wishbone. As theropods evolved, hands and forelimbs became longer. In some, the wrist joint was able to flex. This motion, which allowed some theropods to snatch prey quickly, is the same as the flight stroke motion of birds. As new fossils are discovered, the evidence continues to mount for the link between theropods and birds. More Cretaceous bird fossils have been discovered in the last twenty years than were discovered in all previous years combined.
Summary:
Some bird lineages that evolved from theropod dinosaurs survived, those lineages evolving into the spectacular number of diverse birds, flying and flightless, we see today!
Answer 4
The great thing about the scientific ideas is that they are always evolving, just like the creatures that inhabit the planet Earth. At this point in historical time, the idea that, and the evidence pointing to, the evolution of birds from theropod dinosaurs is gaining ground. Current research is being debated as is the case with all new scientific ideas. New theories and even new discoveries are often scoffed at by leaders in their respective fields, but eventually are proved beyond a shadow of a doubt by the preponderance of data and scientific scrutiny. Similarities between small theropod dinosaurs, which had many bird-like characteristics, would seem to fit the evolutionary trail of least resistance. As more and more discoveries are made, the resistance to this theory of bird evolution will dissolve, except in the few that may have a vested professional interest in denying it.
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Creationist Views
Answer 1
There is no way to describe this since it didn't happen and there is no scientific evidence that it did. No scientist has ever demonstrated a mechanism for this to take place in terms of the massive genetic changes involved, nor is there evidence in the fossil record of dinosaurs changing into birds. Many evolutionary scientists now reject this theory. Archaeopteryx, the famous exhibit is now regarded as a bird, which it clearly is from the evidence. Both birds and dinosaurs have always been what they are.
In terms of the creation, both birds and dinosaurs were created as separate kinds in the beginning by almighty God. Although there are changes due to the inbuilt genetic variety of an organism there is no evidence of things changing into something else. The science of genetics (not the evolutionary theory) demonstrates that there are definite limits to genetic change within an organism.
A Problem of Dating:
Epidexipteryx hui is dated according to the evolutionary time scale at 152 to 168 million years old.
Archaeopteryx is dated according to the evolutionary time scale at 150 to 144 million years old.
Thus, according to the evolutionists own time scaleArchaeopteryx, which is supposed to be an ancestor was actually in existence before the creature from which it is allegedly evolved.
To use a simple analogy, a child cannot be older than its parent.
So, quite clearly there is a problem with the fossil evidence just as there is a problem with the complexities of genetics. It is genetically impossible for a dinosaur which is a reptile to evolve into a bird, just as the fossil record, using the evolutionary logic(for the sake of argument only) does not demonstrate this to be so.
Evolution, by its own dating disproves the change from dinosaurs into birds. some evolutionists themselves recognize the insurmountable problems with this theory and are looking elsewhere to explain the origin of the avian kind.
Mutations which are posited as one mechanism for this to happen do not explain the creation of completely new genetic information which drastically alters the dinosaur to change it into a bird. There is not one single example known to science of this ever having happened anywhere (of one creature changing into something quite different).
Genetics actually demonstrates that there are definite limits to change and that mutations and recombination do not create anything new.
Summary: Science cannot demonstrate how this alleged change took place. The fossil evidence does not demonstrate it. Genetics is against it. This is why some evolutionists are now against it as well. Most likely it did not happen.
Some Evolutionists Say "No"
Some evolutionist scientists, including leading ornithologist Alan Feduccia (professor of Biology at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill) together with Drs. Theagarten Lingham-Soliar of the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and Richard Hinchliffe of the University College of Wales have serious misgivings about feathered dinosaur claims. They believe these to be 'bad science' and note that when examined under the microscope they appear to be skin and not feathers.
In their studies these scientists also noted similar structures in fossils which were not related to dinosaurs. Feduccia and others also note significant differences in the morphology of birds when compared to dinosaurs which make it impossible for the birds to have come from dinosaurs, although he (Feduccia), being an evolutionist, still believes they had a common ancestor.
These scientists, being evolutionists, also decry the opportunity these exaggerated claims, which they see as unscientific and lacking in solid evidence give the creation scientists the opportunity to 'shoot holes' in the evolutionary framework. According to these scientists "The theory that birds are the equivalent of living dinosaurs and that dinosaurs were feathered is so full of holes that the creationists have jumped all over it, using the evolutionary nonsense of 'dinosaurian science' as evidence against the theory of evolution," he said.
Thus when looked at closely by scientists the evidence provided for dinosaur evolution into birds is lacking. Creation scientists agree about the lack of evidence of course, although they do not agree about the common ancestor. Both birds and dinosaurs, although quite different, were made by the same creator.
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