pigeons are idiots.

but that's old news. here's an article correlating the brain sizes of birds and their ability to survive in an urban environment.

Only a handful of species can survive in cities, and the authors speculate that increasing urbanization worldwide may result in a long-term decline in populations of smaller-brained birds.

Except for pigeons.

They are small-brained, said the lead author, Alexei A. Maklakov, an assistant professor of evolutionary biology at Uppsala University. But the urban environment provides them with a close approximation of their natural habitat, so they need little intellectual energy to adapt.

There are plenty of tall buildings that resemble the rocks they normally nest on, and, Dr. Maklakov said, “they don’t have to invent any novel ways of finding food. The food we throw away is fine for them.” (via)

this also marks the third time in a week that uppsala has been mentioned in something i'm reading. first, in the girl who set fire to her wasp tattoo, which i finally just finished. then, in the age of wonder, which i'm currently reading. and now, this. trend alert!!