Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Take Home Challenge #2: HCES Pigeon Watch

In the wild, all members of a species usually look similar. Robins, for example, all have gray backs and red-orange breasts. All crows are black. But the pigeons we see around the world are a different story. They show remarkable color variation, just like cats and dogs. Why? They are all descended from the blue-bar Rock Pigeon (see “color morphs” page).  For hundreds of years humans bred pigeons just for their colors, homing instincts, or racing abilities. 400 years ago many of these special breeds escaped into the wild and became the ancestors of the pigeon flocks that we see today.

Wild pigeons adapted to life in cities, in parks, on beaches, and on farms, and their populations continued to have individuals of many different colors. 

Click here to download:
Pigeon_Poster_Take_Home_Challenge_2.pdf (6.68 MB)
(download)
Take home challenges are completely optional and we invite anyone to participate.  Anyone who completes all of the challenges this year will receive a special science prize.  The challenges can be found hanging on the science room door!