Junk food gives crow chicks a weight problem

[Staff]

Junk food gives crow chicks a weight problem
* 15:25 09 June 2009 by MacGregor Campbell
Junk food gives crow chicks a weight problem - environment - 09 June 2009 - New Scientist
excerpt from above:

Junk food is stunting the growth of young suburban crows, new research suggests. To make matters worse, and like some humans, crow parents opt to feed their young less nutritious food if it is easier to get.
The findings show how evolved behaviors can become detrimental as previously natural environments turn into suburbs.

For crows and other birds, suburban and urban environments provide rich, relatively predictable sources of food. Dumpsters, trashcans, or the unattended grocery bag all make for easier scavenging than the comparatively bare countryside. But while the leftover French fries and donuts a crow would find at these sources may be fine for adults, they can have a detrimental effect on growing young crows.

Growth and nutritional state of American Crow nestlings vary between urban and rural habitats

Rebecca S. Heiss, Anne B. Clark, Kevin J. McGowan
ESA Online Journals - Growth and nutritional state of American Crow nestlings vary between urban and rural habitats

[Equilibrium]

I think there are some lessons to be learned from crows. I can't believe what parents feed their kids these days. Micky D's did a number on us.

[gbreadman]

Crows should hold off the cream and sugar...too much caw-fee.


Kidding aside, I'm surprised crows can even get to the fast food parking lot... house sparrows usually have a "racket" on those in urban settings....one of them once came right up to the window for a french fry (I knew what it was, and did not oblige her).

Dan

[biigblueyes]

Originally Posted by gbreadman

Crows should hold off the cream and sugar...too much caw-fee.

heeheehee

[joepyeweed]

I'm not surprised, you should see what junk food has done to my rear.