There is a bird species of cormorant on the Galápagos Islands that cannot fly. It is the only cormorant species in the world that has lost its ability to fly. Why?

Emus and ostriches cannot fly. They are very large birds. The Galápagos Islands cormorant is not a very large bird.

Scientists have found the genes that are present in birds, mammals and most animals, that may have the answer. The genes are called C. elegans.

The genes affect bone growth. In birds, a mutation (change) of the genes cause a weaker breastbone and smaller wings, which are not effective for flying. Scientists think that the mutation of the genes in Galápagos Islands cormorants occurred about two million years ago.

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