Have you ever given birds much thought?
The other morning I observed several different birds in both the back and front yard (garden for my British friends).
Some eat seeds, very specific seeds. Some eat nuts, very specific nuts. Some eat worms. Some eat flying insects snatched right out of the air. Some eat insects from the grass.
There are other birds that eat small reptiles or mammals. Some eat fish or other aquatic beings.
Grackles for instance, eat virtually anything. With their intimidating and aggressive calls and behavior they will even steal a morsel from the mouth of another bird. Grackles, when they have picked up a morsel, automatically assume another bird is going to try to take it, so they run for the protection of the nearby hedge. And I pondered further how they resemble people.
But I digress
Have you ever wondered how and why there are so many species of birds with such specific and diverse eating characteristics? Could that possibly have happened by accident?
Have you ever wondered how a Robin for example, uniquely equipped to hear, locate and pull a worm from the thick turf survived while his unique skill set was evolving?
The Red-Tailed Hawk is equipped to swoop down and pick up a small rodent for lunch. A Sea Eagle dives into the water to pick up a fresh fish. The Mississippi Kites living on the golf course out back, steal baby birds from other bird’s nests to feed their own. What did those raptors eat before they learned to dive, swoop or steal?
Is it remotely possible that I’m observing an evolving processes?
I think not.
Millions of years ain’t in it.
Have a great day….
All images are mine
Bird ID by Merlin–Cornell University
don3518@gmail.com