Natural History Wanderings

California Curated reported

As California’s cities expand and encroach upon natural landscapes, the state’s wildlife is adapting in fascinating ways. One of the most compelling examples of urban ecology at work is the story of the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis), a small songbird traditionally found in mountainous forests, now thriving in urban environments like San Diego and Los Angeles. These birds are demonstrating the rapid adaptability of species when faced with the unique pressures of urban life, providing a living case study of how evolution unfolds in real-time in human-modified habitats.

Read more at  Dark-Eyed Juncos are California’s Unexpected Pioneers of Urban Evolution – California Curated