A study in Global Change Biology reveals that Anna's Hummingbirds in the western U.S. are thriving due to human influences, particularly the prevalence of hummingbird feeders. Researchers found that these birds have evolved longer and more slender beaks, allowing them to extract more nectar from feeders, while also adapting by moving northward into cooler climates. The research included historical data analysis of bird specimens dating back to the 1800s and highlighted the impact of eucalyptus forests as another food source introduced by humans, showcasing the birds' remarkable adaptability.
"Very simplified, the bills get longer and they become more slender, and that helps to have a larger tongue inside that can get more nectar from the feeder at a time."
"The study also noted the influence of the growing abundance of eucalyptus forests, another human-influenced food source for the hummingbirds as the trees were introduced to California from Australia in the 1900s."
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