Adaptation of Species A look at how climate change is affecting animal species like birds and butterflies. A Windows to the Universe presentation to accompany the Adaptation of Species activity

Changing Planet: Adaptation of Butterflies NBC Learn Video – Adaptation of Butterflies

Toucan The toucan's beak is adapted to grab and crush fruit and nuts. It is strong like a nutcracker.

Hummingbird A hummingbirds long thin beak can get to the nectar in flowers.

Pelican The pelicans beak is adapted to scoop up fish to eat. (Only in cartoons do they use their beaks to transport fish to safety!)

Woodpecker The woodpeckers chisel-like beak allows it to drill holes in trees and eat the insects within.

Darwin in the Galapagos (Voyage from ) 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

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.

Video of Dr. Camille Parmesan – Professor of Integrative Biology at University of Texas 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. YouTube Video - Why I Became a Biologist by Camille Parmesan