Performance-based habitat choice can drive rapid adaptive divergence and reproductive isolation.

Theory predicts that performance-based habitat choice-where individuals select environments based on their local performance-should be widespread in nature and significantly influence ecological and evolutionary processes, including local adaptation, population divergence, reproductive isolation, and speciation. However, experimental evidence supporting these predictions has been largely lacking. In this study, we addressed this by inducing performance-based habitat choice in wild tree sparrows (Passer montanus) through the manipulation of differential access to transponder-operated feeders in two adjacent woodland areas.