Transcript Extreme Beaks!

Adaptation of Species
A look at how climate change is
affecting animal species like birds and
butterflies.
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A Windows to the Universe presentation to
accompany the Adaptation of Species activity
Changing Planet: Adaptation of
Butterflies
NBC Learn Video – Adaptation of Butterflies
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Toucan
• The toucan's beak
is adapted to grab
and crush fruit
and nuts.
• It is strong like a
nutcracker.
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Hummingbird
• A hummingbird’s long
thin beak can get to the
nectar in flowers.
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Pelican
• The pelican’s beak is
adapted to scoop up
fish to eat.
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(Only in cartoons do they
use their beaks to
transport fish to safety!)
Woodpecker
• The woodpecker’s chisel-like
beak allows it to drill holes in
trees and eat the insects
within.
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Darwin in the Galapagos (Voyage
from 1831-1836)
• Darwin discovered 13
different species of
finch living among
Galapagos Islands
• They were similar in
size and color, but had
differently sized and
shaped beaks –
depending on food
they ate
Example species of finches Darwin
found – notice beak variation
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Species Adaptation in Finches
(Divergent Evolution)
• Finches evolved
according to its
particular food source.
• Long beaks -- for
probing trees for
insects and cacti for
nectar.
• Thick wide beaks –
for crushing hard
seeds. Beaks vary
based on sizes of
seeds available.
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Video of Dr. Camille Parmesan –
Professor of Integrative Biology
at University of Texas
YouTube Video - Why I
Became a Biologist by
Camille Parmesan
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Parmesan's work has been on
current impacts of climate
change in the 20th century on
wildlife. Her work on butterfly
range shifts has been
highlighted in many scientific
and popular press reports, such
as in Science, Science News,
New York Times, London
Times, National Public Radio,
and the recent BBC film series
"State of the Planet" with David
Attenborough.