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 and even give up the power of flight.

All of life is driven by the race to be the best at doing what it does, it fuels evolution. But when animals find themselves on islands they pick up the pace, racing to be the best at exploiting new niches, leading to some weird and wonderful designs.

Being stranded on an island can create opportunities, but also means that space, food, and water are limited resources, animals are vulnerable to sudden changes and new arrivals. To make the resources go further some animals have gradually become smaller than their mainland relatives.