![]() Scientists call this process natural selection. Populations of plants, animals and other living organisms change over many, many generations. To understand how adaptations arise, it helps to understand the process of evolution. ![]() Although one adaptation might be very useful for a certain species in a specific environment, that same trait might not be useful for another species in a different environment. Adaptations are traits that developed to perform a certain function and allow organisms to thrive in their environment. When you look at different bird beaks, you’re seeing a great example of something called adaptation. You will use common household items and seeds, grains and nuts to mimic how birds might use their beaks to pick up food. Today we will explore how, in different environments with different food types, specific adaptations, or changes in physical features, are more beneficial than others. How can two species of bird have beaks that are so different? A hummingbird’s beak is long and thin, which helps it dip into the flowers to sip nectar (a sugary fluid the hummingbird uses for food). A hawk’s beak is razor sharp and can tear the flesh off the small animals it eats. Have you ever thought about the differences between a hummingbird and a hawk? They are both birds and yet they look nothing alike! Why do you think they look so different?Īside from hawks being very big and hummingbirds being very small, these two birds exhibit other differences. I was impressed at the time with the bold coloring of the bird, and I recognized it instantly as a painted redstart, at that time a first for my list.From National Science Education Standards: Populations and ecosystems That’s FlorEEEEEda Canyon – long E not short I – our hosts insisted. I watched painted redstarts in Florida Canyon, Arizona, probably 30 years ago or more. In truth, it has been bent only once, to allow me to sketch a great auk. One note about the drawing: My inflexible rule that I will not sketch any bird I have not seen was not broken in this case. The savants – using the word for the second time in a single column – suggest that these actions startle prey into movement. The two species have habits in common, including spreading the wings and fanning the tail, both of which are clues to identification of the birds. The painted redstart is a relative of the American redstart, a fairly common nesting bird here. There’s one more detail that might be relevant here. Of course, that is the appropriate response to such a rare occurrence – actually an unprecedented occurence. In our conversation, it was clear that they regarded the bird’s appearance as a blessing. They first saw the bird on the railing of their porch on Sunday, and they saw the bird later in the day and on Monday. To be truthful, I don’t care, and my intuition tells me that the discoverers of the bird don’t care, either. So, there is a risk that the savants who are members of the state records committee will reject the sighting. The images collaborate the identification, showing most of the field marks, but they are not conclusive. Unfortunately these are cellphone photos. Others whose birding knowledge I respect saw the bird, and concluded that it was a painted redstart. When they invited us to step into the kitchen, one of our party pointed out a shelf near the kitchen table laden with bird books. I also know them to be deeply interested in birds. Members of the family have led me to other birds, and so I trust them. I’m not naming them, because I carelessly neglected to ask permission to use their names. Third, I have confidence in those who found the bird. Painted redstart sightings have been verified in Montana, Manitoba and Quebec – all equally unlikely localities – though Montana, at least, has canyons. Second, the painted redstart is a notorious vagrant, especially in the fall, and especially in late October. It is an active bird, also reflected in its name – redstart. It is boldly patterned in black, white and red, a palette reflected in its name – painted redstart. ![]() Still, I have no doubt that a painted redstart had shown up, for solid reasons.įirst, this is an unmistakable bird.
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