When the world slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic, its effects extended beyond humans. A recent study found that it reshaped urban ecosystems to such an extent that certain city-dwelling birds even began to develop longer, thinner beaks resembling those of their wild relatives.
  • RegularJoe@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
    46·
    5 days ago

    They observed that birds that hatched during the pandemic, when the campuses became empty and there was less food waste to feed on, had beaks with higher bill length and slimmer structure, similar to the wildland birds. However, after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted and people started trickling back to campus and food waste became ample. Birds born during this period reflected this shift, exhibiting shorter, thicker beaks typical of urban juncos.

    The Study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2520996122

    • scytale@piefed.zipEnglish
      22·
      5 days ago

      Wow that is extremely fast. I wonder how many generations was it between changes.