Humans exhibit the most linear relationship with C) Birds.
This is primarily due to their closer evolutionary lineage within the group of vertebrates. Birds and mammals share a more recent common ancestor compared to fish, amphibians, and reptiles, leading to more similarities in certain aspects of embryonic development, physiology, and some aspects of behavior. Additionally, birds and mammals (including humans) share features like the structure of lungs and complexity in their nervous systems.
While humans share traits with all the options listed, the relationship with birds is more direct due to shared ancestry.