These Migrating Birds Fuel Up by Eating…Mud?

The video discusses the long-distance migration of sandpipers, focusing on their unique feeding habits. These birds consume biofilm, a layer of algae on mud, which provides essential fatty acids. These acids are crucial for their energy needs during migration. Research indicates that environmental changes threaten their feeding sites, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.

In what way have Western sandpipers evolved to aid in their feeding during migration?

What implications do the findings about fatty acids have for conservation efforts regarding shorebirds?