Darwin Was Wrong: Woodpeckers Show Why

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SUMMARY

This discussion humorously critiques the concept of natural selection by questioning the survival of woodpeckers, particularly in light of their seemingly irrational behavior of pecking at air conditioners. Participants engage in playful banter, introducing fictional species like "peckerpeckers" and "randomabusepeckers" to illustrate absurdity. The conversation highlights the contrast between evolutionary theory and the persistence of behaviors that appear maladaptive, ultimately suggesting that some traits may serve unexpected purposes, such as mating calls.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of natural selection and evolutionary theory
  • Familiarity with animal behavior and adaptation
  • Knowledge of woodpecker biology and ecology
  • Basic grasp of humor and satire in discussions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mating behaviors of woodpeckers and their ecological roles
  • Explore the concept of maladaptive traits in evolution
  • Investigate the impact of human activity on wildlife behavior
  • Study the evolutionary history of extinct species mentioned, such as Triceratops and dodos
USEFUL FOR

Biologists, ecologists, evolutionary theorists, and anyone interested in the intersection of humor and science in discussions about animal behavior.

tribdog
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Survival of the fittest?
Right now, as I'm typing this, I've got some idiotic woodpecker outside my bedroom window banging it's brains out on my air conditioner. If Darwin is right how could this sort of idiotic behavior not have been bred out of this bird? How did this species not go the way of some of the other Brainiacs of the Animal Kingdom like Triceratops, dodos and unicorns?
I thought natural selection took care of this sort of stuff. That's why we have woodpeckers but we don't have rockpeckers, mountainlionpeckers or peckerpeckers anymore.
 
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I was full of bull last night...beef burritos, nummy!
 
but we don't have rockpeckers, mountainlionpeckers or peckerpeckers anymore.
Dang! While the first two would most assuredly be amusing, it sure would be nice if EVERYONE could have a good peckerpecker!
 
I don't know about that, but I wouldn't say no to a peckerpucker.
 
ive heard that girls don't like peckerpackers.
 
Zero said:
I was full of bull last night...beef burritos, nummy!

what does that have to do with anything?
 
Zero is a burriterpecker...duh!
 
Zero said:
I was full of bull last night...beef burritos, nummy!

Aren't you on a diet? Now drop down and give me fifty!
 
jimmy p said:
Zero is a burritopecker...duh!
goll darn you, jimmy! now i HAVE to go change my pants... :eek: :frown:
 
  • #10
i think you are so stupid.
 
  • #11
looks like we have a randomabusepecker...
 
  • #12
jimmy p said:
looks like we have a randomabusepecker...

:wink: :biggrin:
 
  • #13
actually, i thought the randomabusepecker was extinct, ladies and gentlemen, a RARITY... if you think about it in the wild, they WOULDNT survive long, going up to a lion and saying "your mum's a kitty!" just going to lead to mass extinction...
 
  • #14
jimmy p said:
looks like we have a randomabusepecker...
Yes it does. Or it could be a meaninglesscommentpecker. An often ignored species. :biggrin:
 
  • #15
Evo said:
Yes it does. Or it could be a meaninglesscommentpecker. An often ignored species. :biggrin:


ah we are so fun-loving! :smile:
 
  • #16
I appologise for what I previously said, or didn't say. Someone has gotten a hold on my password. I will change it immediatly.
 
  • #17
ah... the dastardly theiving passwordpecker... :wink:
 
  • #18
Or maybe the ole' hestolemypasswordnotmeatallpecker trick :smile:
 
  • #19
I bet the loudness of the pecking works like a mating call. If a male can find something that makes a real racket, the females probably think, "Whoa, that's one helluva pecker!"

Njorl
 
  • #20
A woodpecker needs to apply a great deal of force to bury his acorn nuts into his unwilling host.
 
  • #21
i don't think trees have that much will. Or maybe they enjoy having a woodpeckers nuts shoved in them...
 

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