Introduction
Birds are the most common vertebrates. With time, they have adapted to live on all landmasses on earth (Chiappe 23). The vertebrates are closely related to subgroups of theropoda dinosaurs. Modern researches have shown that the birds evolved from dinosaur-like creatures. The evolution is estimated to have occurred at around 120 million years ago (Chiappe 25). For millions of years, birds have developed special beaks that have enabled them to feed on a variety of foods. For instance, finches can feed on grains and worms owing to their unique beak shapes (Henkes & Laura 30). The paper below focuses on an evolutionary pattern between finches and worms.
Adaptations
All organisms have to adapt to survive in a specific habitat. Just as other animals have done, finches have struggled for millions of years to develop adaptive features that have aided them to survive in their diverse environment. As such, the adaptation of finches is characterized into two categories. The categories are physical and behavioral. Development of multipurpose beaks is one of the physical adaptations of finches. With the presence of strong and triangular beaks, the finches have been able to crack seeds into edible pieces. Even though the bills were originally meant for eating seeds, the body part has evolved and is now used for eating worms.
If the number of worms in the finches’ habitat drops in the future, the birds will be forced to adapt or die. In such a situation, the birds’ population will be affected. Notably, the finches with hard triangular beaks will adapt easily by relying on grains as their main food source. On the other hand, finches with short and wide beaks will be disadvantaged. The type of finches will be forced to rely on other food types such as insects or die.
Another physical adaptation exhibited by finches is feet arrangement. Their feet are well adapted for perching. The birds have evenly spaced toes facing forward leaving one toe facing in the reverse direction. The structure of the toes enables the bird to grasp a perch firmly while searching for worms.
Behaviorally, finches have learned to live in flocks. By living in a group, the birds are able to watch over one another. When the flocks are feeding, other birds act as watch guards. As such, the guards will signal the flock when enemies intrude.
Environment
As indicated above, finches’ evolution has lasted for millions of years. Birds came into existence during the Jurassic age (Freeland & Peter 578). During the time, the dinosaurs used to colonize the earth. Similarly, the earth’s landmass was covered with fern and pine-like plants. At the time, the birds’ population was less compared with other vertebrates’ population. The birds’ population increased with the emergence of flowering plants about one hundred million years ago (Freeland & Peter 583). Flowering plants offered abundant food sources for the birds. Because of this, birds had to evolve to take the advantage of the emerging environmental niches (Henkes & Laura 30). Through evolution, finches have adapted to live in forests, grasslands, and in arid regions.
Why I would like to study this organism
It is estimated that more than 10, 000 species of birds exist. Based on the figures it is apparent that birds are among the most dominant animals on earth. By studying the evolution and the adaptive features of finches, I would be able to identify what will happen to the birds’ population if the number of worms in their habitat reduces. The study will reveal how the birds have been able to conquer the most challenging conditions and terrains on earth. Similarly, through the analysis I will be able to identify the behaviors, which make finches’ species tougher or vulnerable to ecological challenges. Similarly, the finding from the study will highlight the adaptive features of finches that are not exhibited by other birds. Through it, it can be established how the birds are well suited to their natural habitats compared to other birds. The findings obtained from this study may be used in analyzing how animals will respond to the adverse effects of global warming in the future.
Hypothesis
Just like any other research process, this proposal contains a hypothesis. The hypothesis seeks to analyze how finches will adapt if the number of worms decreases.
Methodology
To answer my hypothesis, I will be required to carry out a number of experiments on the bird species. By doing so, I will assess a number of finches in their natural habitat. Through this, I will record the birds’ beak features. I will identify the birds that are most likely to survive if the number of worms in their environment decreases. Similarly, I will note down the types of finches that are likely to reduce in their population if the number of worms decreases. Based on the above results, I will be able to identify the special adaptive features that tomorrow’s finches will exhibit. With the above information, I can be able to identify the relation that exists between the finches’ adaptive features and their ability to survive in the shortage of worms.
Works Cited
Chiappe, Luis M. Glorified Dinosaurs: The Origin and Early Evolution of Birds. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley, 2007. Print.
Freeland, Joanna, and Peter Boag. “Phylogenetics of Darwin’s Finches: Paraphyly in the Tree-Finches, and Two Divergent Lineages in the Warbler Finch.”The Auk 23.2 (2010): 577-88. Print.
Henkes, Kevin, and Laura Dronzek. Birds. New York: Greenwillow, 2009. Print.