Islands

Birds have more freedom to come and go from islands than most, often using them as remote fortresses where they can safely raise their young, but some find islands so rewarding that they stay. Without predators, some change their lifestyles.

When animals find themselves on islands, they race to be the best at exploiting new niches, which leads to some weird and wonderful designs.

Being stranded on an island means that space, food, and water are limited resources. Animals are vulnerable to sudden changes and new arrivals. To make the resources last, some animals have gradually become smaller than their mainland relatives.