How Climate Change , Is Forcing Birds To Adapt.
CNN reports a recent study found
that migratory birds of North America
are shrinking in size.
The study finds this occurrence
is especially true for
birds with smaller brains.
Experts say a rapidly-changing
climate is to blame.
As temperatures warm, body sizes are decreasing, but larger-brained species are declining less strongly than small-brained species, Justin Baldwin, author of study, Washington University, via CNN.
As temperatures warm, body sizes are decreasing, but larger-brained species are declining less strongly than small-brained species, Justin Baldwin, author of study, Washington University, via CNN.
According to researchers, the study
is the first to find a correlation between
a bird's cognitive brain function and human-made climate change.
In birds, experts say, the larger the brain, the more behavioral flexibility.
Relative brain size correlates with increased learning ability, increased memory, longer lifespans and more stable population dynamics. , Justin Baldwin, author of study, Washington University, via CNN.
Relative brain size correlates with increased learning ability, increased memory, longer lifespans and more stable population dynamics. , Justin Baldwin, author of study, Washington University, via CNN.
Experts say birds with larger brains are simply more capable of adapting to changing climates than their smaller-brained counterparts.
In this case, a bigger-brained species of bird might be able to reduce its exposure to warming temperatures by seeking out microhabitats with cooler temperatures, for example, Justin Baldwin, author of study, Washington University, via CNN.
In this case, a bigger-brained species of bird might be able to reduce its exposure to warming temperatures by seeking out microhabitats with cooler temperatures, for example, Justin Baldwin, author of study, Washington University, via CNN