Science
High-altitude birds evolved thicker ‘jackets’ – BBC News
Himalayan songbirds in colder, more elevated environments have feathers with more fluffy down.
By Victoria GillScience correspondent, BBC News
image copyrightAditya Chavan
A study of 250 species of Himalayan songbirds has revealed how their feathers evolved for higher altitudes.
The birds in colder, more elevated environments had feathers with more fluffy down – providing them with thicker “jackets”.
The insight reveals how feathers provide the tiniest birds with such efficient protection from extreme cold.
It also provides clues about which species are most at risk from climate change,…
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