Study Examines Parent-Offspring Conflict In Canary

Birds communicate with their developing chicks before they hatch by leaving them messages in the egg, new research published in Science has found. By changing conditions within the egg, canary mothers leave a message for their developing chicks about the life they will face after birth. In response, nestlings adjust the development of their begging behavior. If chicks get a message that they will be reared by generous parents then they beg more vigorously for food after hatching. But chicks that are destined to be raised by meaner parents end up being much less demanding. read more

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