How are wild animals adapting to survive in cities?

The answer

Urban wildlife is undergoing measurable evolutionary change at speeds that surprise biologists. City blackbirds in Europe sing at higher frequencies to be heard over traffic noise, with a study showing a 14% pitch increase over 20 years. Urban coyotes in Chicago have learned to look both ways before crossing roads and are predominantly nocturnal to avoid humans. Peregrine falcons thrive on skyscraper ledges, with over 70 nesting pairs now in New York and London combined, preying on abundant pigeons. A 2022 study in Science documented urban lizards in Puerto Rico evolving larger toe pads and more scales for gripping smooth artificial surfaces within just 30 generations - roughly 15 years.