Via Cryptomundo, we learn that a DNA survey by the Chicago Field Museum reveals that “falcons are more closely related to parrots than to other hunters such as hawks and eagles.” Allegedly.
Say what?
I can accept it as a cosmic joke that the closest living relative of the great and terrible Tyrannosaurus rex is the tasty chicken on my plate (get your revenge on Rex with this delicious-looking recipe for marinated red chile chicken.) But to think that the fierce and independent (and, face it, cute) little kestrels I see around here so often, who so perfectly exemplify Gary Larson‘s dictum that “Birds of prey know they’re cool,” are … parrots?
One way or another, that’s what they say here: “Field Museum’s genetic study rewrites family tree on birds.”
Read + weep.
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[...] cool. Hadn’t seen one in a spell. I always love teh kesties, even if they are descended from penguins. Or rather, er, parrots. [...]