Organism
Hummingbirds
TL;DR
Small birds cited in the chapter as an example of specialist-generalist tradeoffs that limit convergence.
Small birds cited in the chapter as an example of specialist-generalist tradeoffs that limit convergence. Hummingbirds converged on long, thin beaks for nectar feeding, but this makes them poor seed-eaters. Finches that specialize on seeds cannot converge on hummingbird-like beaks without sacrificing seed-eating ability - tradeoffs create multiple fitness peaks.
Notable Traits of Hummingbirds
- Specialized nectar-feeding beak
- Hovering flight