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Ralltir t1_itkvjfd wrote

Super interesting but not all that surprising to anyone who likes birds. They’re smart. Anyone else love that crows can use tools?

I’m surprised that some don’t seem to have negative health effects or at least not yet.

> Additionally, experimental research demonstrated the ability of pigeons and other Columbidae to subsist on diets consisting of foods commonly associated with restaurants (e.g., highly refined foods including white bread and french-fries; [26, 98]). The previous research suggests that Columbidae may be highly adept at using these resources leading to an overall increase in their abundance

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JeffBrownEcology t1_itqeknk wrote

Many species of Columbidae have an incredible ability to tolerate incredibly high blood sugar levels. In humans, we would consider these birds diabetic, but, at least in lab settings, the birds are not impacted.

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Ralltir t1_itqiqi7 wrote

This might be a stupid question but do we know why that is?

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JeffBrownEcology t1_itqjiym wrote

Not a stupid question and, in fact, the driving question for a lot of current research. Birds, in general regulate blood sugar a lot differently than mammals but the exact mechanisms they use to do so is still being studied.

Not a stupid question and, in fact, the driving question for a lot of current research. Birds, in general, regulate blood sugar a lot differently than mammals but the exact mechanisms they use to do so are still being studied.

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