PDF Summary:The Life of Birds, by David Attenborough

Birds are nature's masterpieces of evolution—their astonishing adaptations for flight, hunting, mating, and survival allow them to thrive in virtually every corner of the world. In The Life of Birds, David Attenborough provides an enlightening look at how birds have developed specialized beaks, wings, plumage, and behaviors to conquer the air, land, and sea.

From exploring how avian ancestors like Archaeopteryx transitioned from reptiles to modern birds, to probing the complex communication systems, social structures, and parenting methods of different bird species, Attenborough reveals the wondrous ways in which birds interact with their environments. The author also examines how human activity has recently threatened many birds and compelled others to adapt ingeniously to city living.

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• After swimming, anhingas often need to dry their wings in the sun because their feathers are not waterproof. This behavior is commonly observed as they perch with wings spread wide.
• When underwater, auks flap their wings in a manner similar to flying, which allows them to maneuver efficiently and chase prey with agility.
• Penguin flippers are adapted from wings and are rigid and flat, resembling paddles. This structure provides powerful propulsion through water, similar to how oars work for rowing.
• The transition from flight to swimming in penguins is an example of adaptive evolution, where natural selection favored traits that enhanced survival in aquatic environments.

Some bird species exhibit distinctive characteristics and patterns of behavior that allow them to obtain sustenance from areas that are otherwise inaccessible.

Crows utilize a range of tools to extract food from locations that are difficult to access.

Attenborough illustrates the intricate strategies birds employ to overcome obstacles when using their beaks in order to reach food that is difficult to access. The woodpecker finch, native to the Galapagos, exhibits its proficiency in utilizing tools by opting for cactus spines to extract beetle larvae from within the crevices of wood. He further delves into the cognitive prowess of the New Caledonian crow, which exhibits advanced problem-solving skills by fashioning an assortment of instruments for specific tasks, such as a probing implement, a device designed to retrieve larvae, and a barbed spear used to skewer its targets.

Context

• Tool use in animals is a sign of advanced cognitive abilities. It involves using objects in the environment to achieve a goal, such as obtaining food, which is relatively rare in the animal kingdom.
• The Galapagos Islands are a unique ecosystem with diverse species that have evolved in isolation, leading to unique adaptations like those seen in the woodpecker finch.
• Young crows learn tool use by observing and imitating older, more experienced crows, indicating that their problem-solving skills are not only innate but also culturally transmitted.
• The barbed spear mentioned is typically crafted from twigs or leaves, and its design allows the crow to extract insects from tight spaces, showcasing their innovative use of available materials.

Honeyguides lead mammals to beehives, subsequently indulging in the consumption of bee larvae and wax.

Attenborough emphasizes the unique cooperative relationship where honeyguides, through specific vocalizations and actions, lead honey badgers to concealed bee nests. He emphasizes the remarkable capabilities of bird species to communicate complex information to one another, which enables them to access food sources that would be unreachable without this level of interaction. He elaborates on the development of this symbiotic relationship, illustrating how honeyguides have evolved to collaborate with human Boran honey hunters by guiding them to beehives, where they are rewarded with a share of the wax and honey.

Context

• This behavior likely evolved as a survival strategy, allowing honeyguides to access food resources that are otherwise difficult to obtain due to the protective nature of beehives.
• Honey badgers, also known as ratels, are mammals with a strong resistance to bee stings and a keen sense of smell. They can break open beehives with their powerful claws, making them ideal partners for honeyguides.
• Beyond honeyguides, other bird species, such as ravens and parrots, are known for their ability to solve problems and communicate about food locations, demonstrating advanced cognitive abilities.
• This relationship likely dates back thousands of years, as evidenced by historical accounts and oral traditions, suggesting a long-standing co-evolutionary process.
• For the Boran and other honey-hunting communities, the honeyguide is not just a helper but also holds cultural significance, often featuring in folklore and traditional stories.
• This interaction can influence local ecosystems by affecting bee populations and the distribution of resources like honey and wax.

Bird communication, social interaction, and reproductive behaviors

Birds use vocalizations, visual displays, and other signals to communicate

Songbirds convey information about their specific type, individual identity, and social rank through complex songs.

Attenborough delves into the captivating world of avian communication, encompassing their employment of vocalizations, visual cues, and other expressive behaviors. The dialogue opens with David Attenborough exploring the syrinx, a unique avian organ located where the trachea ends, which has the ability to create a wider variety of sounds compared to the mammalian larynx. The author emphasizes the wide array of physical and functional modifications enabling birds to produce vocalizations that vary from the simple two-note call of the chiffchaff to the intricate and tuneful singing of the willow warbler. Attenborough explores the various ways birds use their bodies to create sounds, highlighting the woodpeckers' rhythmic tapping on resonant objects and noting distinctive characteristics like the snipe's wings creating a drumming sound and the palm cockatoo's rhythmic pecking that results in a musical rhythm.

Context

• Some songbird populations exhibit cultural transmission of songs, where song variations can spread through populations over generations, similar to human cultural practices.
• Communication methods can vary significantly depending on the social structure of the species, with some birds living in large flocks requiring more complex communication systems.
• Birds can control the tension of the syrinx's membranes and the airflow through it, enabling them to produce rapid and intricate sequences of notes.
• The environment plays a significant role in shaping bird vocalizations. Birds in dense forests may develop lower-pitched calls that travel better through thick vegetation, while those in open areas might use higher-pitched sounds.
• These non-vocal sounds serve various purposes, including mating rituals, territory defense, and signaling alarm or distress to other birds.
• The palm cockatoo, native to Australia and New Guinea, is known for its unique behavior of using tools, such as sticks, to drum on hollow trees, which is rare among birds.

Bird species perform complex rituals, showcasing their colorful plumage and engaging in sophisticated choreographies, to allure potential partners and establish control over their domains.

Attenborough explores the progression of avian species, emphasizing the emergence of a variety of visual cues prominently manifested in their plumage. David Attenborough explains that the colors of feathers arise from pigments that absorb certain wavelengths of light and from physical characteristics that scatter and reflect light. The diverse spectrum of feather colors, from the striking red seen in bullfinches to the iridescent, varied sheen of hummingbirds, plays a crucial role in species recognition, mate attraction, and social interaction. Additionally, Attenborough sheds light on the intricate non-vocal signals and body postures birds use to interact, highlighting the elaborate dance routines of cranes and grebes, the puffins' habit of decorating their beaks to mirror the seasonal shifts, and the unique head movements of owls to compensate for their fixed eyes.

Practical Tips

• Create a personal or family game that mimics bird rituals, aiming to teach the principles of non-verbal communication and social cues. This game could involve players using gestures, postures, and sounds to convey certain messages or emotions without words, similar to how birds use rituals. It's a fun way to become more aware of body language and its impact on social interactions.
• Create a personal branding strategy that emphasizes your unique skills and qualities. Similar to how birds display their best attributes to potential mates, identify your strengths and find creative ways to showcase them in professional contexts. This could involve developing a signature approach to problem-solving or consistently demonstrating a particular skill in your projects, making you more attractive to employers or clients.
• Engage in a simple experiment with children or friends using water, a clear container, and colored cellophane to demonstrate how light can be absorbed or reflected to create colors. Fill the container with water and wrap it with different colors of cellophane, then shine a flashlight through it to project colorful shadows. This activity can help you and others visually grasp the concept of light interaction without needing any specialized knowledge or equipment.
• You can observe local bird species to better understand the role of feather colors in their interactions. Start by visiting nearby parks or nature reserves with a pair of binoculars and a notebook. Pay attention to birds with particularly vibrant feathers and note any patterns in their behavior, such as which birds they interact with and how they seem to be treated by others. This hands-on observation can give you insights into the social dynamics of birds and how color plays a part.
• Partner with a friend to give each other feedback on non-verbal communication in a casual setting. Take turns observing each other during a conversation, then discuss which body language cues seemed effective and which could be misinterpreted. This peer review can provide valuable insights into how you naturally communicate and areas where you can improve.
• Incorporate elements of bird dance into your mindfulness or meditation practice. Focus on the fluidity and grace of the birds' movements, and try to embody these qualities in your own motions or while visualizing during a quiet meditation session. This can help deepen your connection to the natural world and bring a sense of peace and elegance to your practice.
• Engage in a creative project that mirrors the concept of seasonal adaptation, such as crafting or painting. Choose a subject, like a landscape or still life, and create four versions of it, each representing a different season. This will not only foster your creativity but also give you a deeper appreciation for the diversity and beauty of the changing seasons.
• Enhance your photography or videography by adopting the owl's perspective. Use a swivel chair and practice taking shots without moving your eyes from the viewfinder, rotating your body instead to follow moving subjects, which can lead to more stable and clear images.

Numerous avian species frequently display social tendencies and engage in cooperative breeding.

Certain bird species, including the white-winged chough, rely on their family members to help raise their young.

Attenborough explores the intriguing behavior of birds participating in the joint nurturing of their young, known as cooperative breeding, which includes individuals besides the direct parents. He emphasizes that this seemingly altruistic behavior is often driven by practical considerations, such as limited breeding opportunities and territorial constraints. David Attenborough highlights the cooperative behavior of the white-winged chough in Australia, where the challenging task of digging up grubs is simplified by the additional group members contributing to the feeding of the young. He further elaborates on how cooperative breeding fosters intricate social interactions, as seen in chough family groups that partake in conflicts over territory, which often leads to the demolition of their homes and the snatching of their offspring.

Practical Tips

• Encourage children to create a story or comic strip that features bird characters using cooperative parenting strategies. This creative activity allows them to explore the concept in a fun and engaging way, fostering an early understanding of teamwork and shared responsibilities.
• Create a simple game or simulation using cards or a digital app that models an ecosystem with limited breeding opportunities and territorial constraints. By assigning roles to players as different animals, you can simulate the decision-making process that leads to cooperative breeding. This interactive experience can help you understand the strategic choices animals make in response to environmental pressures.
• Encourage collaboration at your workplace by initiating a peer-recognition program. Each week, employees can nominate a colleague who exemplified teamwork, and the selected individual could be rewarded with a small token of appreciation, such as a preferred parking spot for the week. This can create an environment where cooperative behavior is noticed and valued.
• You can observe and document local wildlife to understand territorial behaviors by keeping a nature journal. Note the interactions between animals in your area, focusing on any signs of conflict or cooperation. This can help you appreciate the complexities of animal behavior and the importance of territory, which may reflect on human interactions and the value of community and personal space.

Colonial nesting offers seabird species advantages such as protection against predators and the chance for exchanging information among various bird congregations.

Attenborough examines the benefits of colonial nesting in birds, particularly for seabirds. He demonstrates that by nesting near one another on isolated islands, sooty terns enhance their protection, generating a disorderly setting that baffles predators and enables a collective defense against aerial assaults. He details the strategies employed by predatory birds like cattle egrets, which exploit the less densely populated edges of the colony where nests are scattered. Attenborough suggests that bird colonies serve as centers for the exchange of information, where individuals with an understanding of where to find sustenance can lead others to abundant feeding grounds.

Other Perspectives

• Not all seabird species benefit equally from colonial nesting; for some, the risks of disease transmission and parasitism may increase due to the close quarters and high population density.
• The disorderly setting might not be effective against all types of predators, as some may learn to navigate and exploit the chaos within the colonies.
• Some aerial predators have adapted to exploit colonial nesting birds by developing hunting techniques that take advantage of the birds' clustering behavior.
• Cattle egrets are primarily ground foragers and not typically known for predatory behavior on seabird colonies, so the idea that they exploit the edges of colonies may not accurately represent their typical feeding habits.
• Relying on certain individuals for information may create a dependency that could be detrimental if those individuals are lost or unavailable.

Bird species employ a diverse array of tactics to nurture their offspring.

In ostriches, the duty of nurturing the young rests exclusively with the males.

Attenborough delves into the diverse methods bird species use to reproduce and care for their young. He highlights the distinctive roles of male ostriches, primarily tasked with incubating the eggs and ensuring their young are well-fed. David Attenborough suggests that such an arrangement may be linked to the challenges of safeguarding multiple young in open environments, where the need for continuous vigilance arises from the susceptibility of the offspring to predators.

Practical Tips

• Start a casual discussion group with friends or family members where you share interesting facts about animal behavior, including the nurturing role of male ostriches. Use this as a springboard to talk about the variety of parenting roles across species, which can lead to a broader conversation about gender roles and parenting in human societies.
• Create a simple backyard habitat to support local wildlife and their offspring. By planting native flora, setting up bird feeders, or installing a small pond, you can provide food sources and shelter for animals and observe how they care for their young in a safe environment that you've helped to create.
• Create a simple game with friends or family that mimics the ostrich's survival strategy. Assign roles where one person is responsible for the safety of the group while others complete tasks. This game can highlight the advantages of having a dedicated individual looking out for the well-being of the group, which can be translated into real-life scenarios like designating a safety officer during family outings or a point person for group projects at work.
• Use technology to enhance safety with a GPS tracker for your child's backpack or coat. This allows you to monitor their location in real-time when they are playing outside. Choose a device with geofencing capabilities that alert you if your child strays beyond a pre-set safe zone, providing an additional layer of security and peace of mind.

Cuckoos exploit the parental care of various bird species through the act of brood parasitism.

Attenborough explores the fascinating world of brood parasitism, focusing on cuckoos. The esteemed nature expert illuminates how cuckoos cunningly place their eggs in the nests of other bird species, leaving the rearing of their young to these unwitting foster parents. The author explains that cuckoos improve their survival prospects by developing eggs that mimic the appearance of their host's eggs and by making sure their young grow quickly to outcompete the host's offspring, as well as by using persistent begging calls that prompt their unwitting foster parents to offer additional food. David Attenborough explores the dynamic evolutionary struggle in which certain avian species, upon encountering cuckoo eggs within their nests, evolve the capacity to distinguish these alien eggs, thereby prompting cuckoos to further refine their egg disguise to escape detection.

Context

• Cuckoo brood parasitism is more prevalent in certain regions, such as Europe, Asia, and Africa, where suitable host species and environmental conditions support this reproductive strategy.
• Brood parasitism is a reproductive strategy where one species relies on another to raise its young. This behavior is seen in various bird species, with cuckoos being one of the most well-known examples.
• The intensity and frequency of the begging calls are finely tuned to exploit the host species' parental instincts, often matching the specific acoustic characteristics that trigger feeding behavior in the host.

Other Perspectives

• While cuckoos do often grow quickly, this is not the only strategy they use to ensure survival; some species of cuckoo chicks also have the instinct to eject the host's eggs or chicks from the nest shortly after hatching.
• There may be ecological or behavioral factors that limit the effectiveness of egg recognition as a defense against brood parasitism, such as the risk of hosts accidentally rejecting their own eggs or the presence of multiple parasitic eggs overwhelming the host's ability to manage them.

Some ground-nesting bird species have precocial chicks that are capable of feeding themselves and moving independently shortly after they emerge from their eggs.

Attenborough highlights the unique reproductive approach of cuckoos, who depend on different avian species for the rearing of their offspring, unlike terrestrial fowl like ducks and geese, along with megapodes, whose young are independent and mature at birth. He describes how these fledglings appear, pointing out their first coating of downy plumage, their eyes which are open from birth, and their ability to move and search for food soon after they emerge from the egg. Their ability to quickly vacate their nests reduces the threat of predators and allows their parents to focus more on their own survival. Attenborough captivates his audience with vivid depictions, including shelduck families gathering in shared nurseries for safety, and he provides details on the remarkable journey of barnacle goose chicks as they courageously descend steep cliffs to reunite with their parents at the bottom.

Practical Tips

• Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone by trying a new physical activity that requires courage and determination. Rock climbing, for example, can be a metaphorical parallel to the barnacle goose chicks' cliff descent. Start with an indoor climbing class where you can learn the basics in a safe environment. As you progress, pay attention to the mental and physical challenges you face and how you overcome them. This experience can help you develop a mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for growth.

Other Perspectives

• The emphasis on the independence of precocial chicks could inadvertently downplay the risks they still face, such as predation or environmental challenges, which can be significant even though they are more mature at birth compared to altricial chicks.
• In some cases, the presence of attentive parents can deter predators more effectively than the strategy of early nest departure, suggesting that staying in the nest longer could sometimes be a better strategy for survival.
• In some cases, shared nurseries could lead to misdirected parental care, where parents invest in the offspring of others instead of their own, which could be detrimental to their genetic fitness.

Human activities have influenced the way birds adapt to harsh environments.

A multitude of avian species have been driven to the brink of disappearance as a result of habitat devastation, illegal hunting, and the invasion of alien species.

Bird species incapable of flight, including the dodo and the great auk, encountered considerable dangers as a result of human actions.

In his analysis, the author scrutinizes how human actions, including the destruction of natural habitats, as well as poaching and the introduction of invasive species, have severely affected bird populations. The author emphasizes the vulnerability of flightless island-dwelling birds, exemplified by the dodo of Mauritius and the great auk of the northern Atlantic, which rapidly became extinct after humans arrived due to hunting and habitat loss. Their lack of flight and minimal defenses left them susceptible to human hunters and unable to escape predators that had been recently brought to their environment.

Context

• The great auk, once found in large numbers across the North Atlantic, was heavily hunted for its feathers, meat, and oil, contributing to its extinction.
• The drainage of wetlands for agriculture or construction eliminates crucial habitats for many waterfowl and migratory birds, disrupting their breeding and feeding patterns.
• These birds often exhibited little to no fear of humans, as they had not evolved alongside predators, making them easy targets for hunting.
• In some cases, these birds were hunted not just for food but also for feathers, oil, or other resources, driven by economic demands or cultural practices.
• Many flightless birds had low reproductive rates, meaning that even small increases in mortality could lead to rapid population declines.

The bird known as the passenger pigeon, once noted for its extraordinary abundance, was driven to extinction in the late 1800s as a result of overhunting.

Attenborough highlights the profound influence of human actions on natural habitats, mentioning the passenger pigeon, previously recognized as the most abundant avian species on the planet. The author describes how the skies of North America, which were once darkened by abundant bird species, saw these populations dwindle by the end of the 19th century due to unyielding hunting. The writer posits that relentless hunting by humans was the main cause of the decline in the population of the species, and that habitat destruction from deforestation played a secondary role.

Context

• The last known passenger pigeon, named Martha, died in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1914, marking the extinction of the species.
• The passenger pigeon was a cheap source of protein, and its meat was in high demand in growing urban areas, leading to large-scale commercial hunting operations.
• Large, continuous forests were necessary for the passenger pigeons' communal nesting habits. Deforestation fragmented these areas, making it difficult for the birds to find suitable breeding sites.
• Historical records from the 19th century describe how the flocks were so dense that they blocked out sunlight, creating a temporary twilight effect during the day.
• The extinction of the passenger pigeon serves as a historical example of how human activities can lead to the irreversible loss of biodiversity.

Some bird species have mastered the art of thriving within environments heavily influenced by human activity.

Many bird varieties, such as pigeons and house sparrows, have adeptly adjusted to life in city settings.

Attenborough explores how various bird species have adeptly adapted and thrived in environments significantly altered by human actions. Pigeons, descendants of wild rock pigeons, have thrived in cityscapes by discovering ample sustenance and appropriate locations for nest building, allowing them to flourish amidst urban development. He further emphasizes that the diminutive avian species frequently observed in city settings, which were intentionally dispersed throughout numerous urban areas, have prospered due to their adaptable feeding habits and ease around human presence, allowing them to thrive in these environments.

Other Perspectives

• The proliferation of pigeons and house sparrows in urban areas can lead to conflicts with humans, as they are sometimes considered pests due to their noise, droppings, and the damage they can cause to property.
• The term "thrived" may need to be qualified, as urban pigeons often face health challenges due to pollution and poor diet, which can affect their overall well-being despite their apparent population growth.
• Adaptable feeding habits may lead to dependency on human-provided food sources, which can be nutritionally inadequate and lead to health problems for birds.

Crows, among other smart bird species, have learned to exploit the food and resources provided by humans.

The author showcases the adaptability of intelligent birds like crows, which have learned to exploit the resources provided by humans. In Sendai, Japan, he details the cleverness of crows, who have mastered the technique of exploiting the heft of stationary vehicles at traffic lights to break open the hard shells of walnuts by dropping them onto the road. Birds demonstrate remarkable adaptability by adjusting to novel environments and utilizing human activities to their advantage.

Practical Tips

• Reduce crow dependency on human food sources by securing your trash and compost. Ensure that your bins have locking lids and are not easily accessible to wildlife. This helps to minimize human-wildlife conflicts and encourages crows to rely on their natural foraging behaviors, which can be beneficial for the local ecosystem.
• Start a 'flexibility journal' where you document instances where you had to adapt to an unexpected situation, noting your initial reaction, the action you took, and the outcome. Over time, this will help you recognize patterns in your adaptability and identify areas for improvement.

Birds possess remarkable adaptations that allow them to survive in even the harshest of environments.

Flamingos, along with a variety of other species, thrive in the harsh heat and elevated salt levels typical of dry saltwater lakes.

Attenborough explores how birds thrive in Earth's harshest environments. In his exploration of flamingo evolution, the author highlights the birds' development of distinctive legs and beaks, which enable them to thrive in the African Rift Valley's saline lake environments. He describes the complex method birds use to feed, involving a meticulous process of filtering the saline water to obtain nourishing algae and crustaceans, which features a sophisticated arrangement of backward-pointing spines, plates equipped with fine strands, and a swiftly operating tongue to improve the feeding process. He goes on to describe how these animals gather in vast numbers on isolated and inhospitable salt plains to nurture their young.

Practical Tips

• Create a small salt-tolerant garden to experience firsthand how certain plants can survive in harsh conditions. Research and select a variety of salt-tolerant plants, such as sea thrift or saltbush, and plant them in an area of your garden where the soil has higher salinity. Monitor their growth over time to see how they cope with the salt levels, and compare their progress to that of non-salt-tolerant plants.
• Engage in citizen science projects that focus on bird observation and data collection, such as submitting sightings to online databases or participating in annual bird counts.
• Try creating a simple water filtration experiment at home using household materials. Use a plastic bottle, some cotton balls, gravel, and sand to mimic the filtering process. Pour dirty water into your DIY filter and watch how it cleans the water, drawing parallels to how flamingos filter their food from water.
• Experiment with different textures of food to explore the concept of fine strands and plates. At home, try eating various foods that require different chewing mechanisms, like crunchy vegetables versus soft fruits, and pay attention to how your teeth and tongue work together to process these textures.

Emperor penguins huddle together to conserve heat and endure long stretches without food during the brutal Antarctic winter.

Attenborough's journey delves into the extraordinary resilience of emperor penguins amid the harsh winter of Antarctica. He describes how the male individuals of these species maintain the warmth of the single egg by balancing it on their feet, enduring severe cold and tempests, and forgoing food for long durations while the females return to the sea to feed. Emperor penguins exhibit an extraordinary level of commitment and collaboration as parents, ensuring the survival and upbringing of their young in the challenging and resource-limited Antarctic conditions.

Context

• The huddling behavior is an adaptation to the harsh Antarctic environment, where temperatures can drop below -50 degrees Celsius (-58 degrees Fahrenheit) and winds can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph).
• During this fasting period, male penguins can lose up to 20 kilograms (about 44 pounds), which is a significant portion of their body weight.
• During the incubation period, males rely on stored body fat, as they do not eat for about two months while they protect the egg.
• The fasting is necessary because the males cannot leave the egg unattended; exposure to the cold would be fatal to the developing chick.
• The trek to the sea and back is fraught with challenges, including navigating through harsh weather conditions and potential predators, making the survival of both the females and their offspring a remarkable feat.
• After the females return from feeding at sea, they regurgitate food for the newly hatched chicks, while the males then take their turn to feed, showcasing a cooperative parenting strategy.
• The breeding cycle of emperor penguins is synchronized with the Antarctic winter to ensure that the chicks are ready to enter the ocean and feed independently by the time the ice begins to melt in the spring.

Certain avian species, including the sandgrouse, have developed distinctive techniques for collecting and transporting water to their young.

Attenborough concludes his examination by centering on the sandgrouse, birds that make their home in arid deserts characterized by infrequent and unpredictable precipitation. He describes their nomadic lifestyle, their ability to survive on dry seeds, and the unique evolutionary adaptation that allows them to transport water to their young. David Attenborough describes the specialized belly feathers of male sandgrouse, which are adapted to absorb and carry water to their young in dry, parched areas.

Practical Tips

• Try living with less by embarking on a 'nomadic challenge' where you limit your possessions to what can fit in a single backpack for a weekend trip. This will give you insight into what is truly essential in your life and can help you declutter and simplify your living space.
• Start a small garden to explore plant-watering techniques that mimic efficient natural systems, such as using a wicking bed system that conserves water by allowing plants to absorb moisture as needed from a reservoir below. This hands-on experiment will give you insight into how different species have evolved to efficiently use resources, much like the sandgrouse's water transportation method.