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Roadkill Forcing Cliff Swallows To Evolve

sciencehabit writes "Cliff swallows that build nests that dangle precariously from highway overpasses have a lower chance of becoming roadkill than in years past thanks to a shorter wingspan that lets them dodge oncoming traffic. That's the conclusion of a new study based on 3 decades of data collected on one population of the birds. The results suggest that shorter wingspan has been selected for over this time period because of the evolutionary pressure put on the population by cars."

10 of 387 comments (clear)

  1. excellent! by arekin · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now if only humans would evolve that fast...

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  2. Does this mean by NEDHead · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I keep on smacking my kids, their arms will get shorter?

    1. Re:Does this mean by pecosdave · · Score: 4, Funny

      Their skulls may become thicker.

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  3. You're Welcome by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...And this is yet another proof that God exists. My prayer circle has spent the last 10 years asking for Divine intervention to halt the senseless deaths of road-adjacent animals. Thanks to our unceasing intervention, He knew to trim a wee bit off the tip of every bird's wings (gradually, of course, so that mommy birds would still recognize their babies - and left longer wings on the sinner birds so that they would die and serve as a warning to others). Praise Jesus!

    1. Re:You're Welcome by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      That is a really tough story to... Swallow...

  4. lies, all lies by spongman · · Score: 4, Funny

    these evolutionists are just trying to force these lies down your throats.

    how can the birds be changed by the overpasses? the bible tells us that the overpasses have existed since the creation of the universe, 3 decades ago.

  5. Bridgekeeper by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    What is the new air speed velocity of an unladen cliff swallow?

    1. Re:Bridgekeeper by pecosdave · · Score: 4, Funny

      The one impaled on the antenna of a passing vehicle or not?

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    2. Re:Bridgekeeper by Grayhand · · Score: 4, Funny

      The one impaled on the antenna of a passing vehicle or not?

      I don't know but the little fucker dropped his coconut and cracked my windshield.

    3. Re:Bridgekeeper by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      The one impaled on the antenna of a passing vehicle or not?

      I don't know but the little fucker dropped his coconut and cracked my windshield.

      It was trying to do you a favour: cut the coconut in half, bang the halves together and you'll not need to pay for a car anymore.