This is Bird Note.

European starlings, first introduced in New York City, have become invasive and compete with native species for nesting sites. They're now one of the most common birds in many cities across North America.

But as they've entered new habitats, they've begun to change.

The Starling's ancestors lived in mild and temperate climates in Europe.

In the U.S., they've encountered environments quite unlike where they came from,

long, frigid winters, as well as dry deserts and plains. Recent genetic research into European

Starlings shows that their DNA is changing, possibly because Starlings in North America have

more genetic adaptation to thrive in arid environments and colder temperatures compared to those still in Europe.

European starlings have also been introduced in Australia.

There, the starlings invasion is more limited in scope.

But they also show a pattern of genetic change.

Genes that help the starlings regulate their cells under more extreme conditions

may be favored for birds spreading out further from where they were introduced.

Evolution is an ongoing process,

and sometimes the best examples can be found in birds that live right alongside us in cities.

For Bird Note, I'm Ariana Rimmel.