Scientists have found that great tits living now have longer beaks than great tits living 50 years ago. Genetic analysis shows changes in the sequence of the bird’s DNA. Scientists think that great tits living now have longer beaks because of the increased use of bird feeders during the last 50 years. Explain how natural selection could have caused an increase in beak length because of the use of bird feeders – 10025

Q1.

Figure 5 shows a great tit on a bird feeder.

Scientists have found that great tits living now have longer beaks than great tits living 50 years ago.

Genetic analysis shows changes in the sequence of the bird’s DNA.

Scientists think that great tits living now have longer beaks because of the increased use of bird feeders during the last 50 years.

Explain how natural selection could have caused an increase in beak length because of the use of bird feeders.

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Manish Khanna says:

July 25, 2025 at 10:02 am

There is variation in the beak length of great tits. Birds with longer beaks can reach food in bird feeders more easily, so they get more food. These birds are more likely to survive and reproduce. They pass on the gene for longer beaks to their offspring.

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