Cuckoo finch and host chicks (IMAGE)

University of Cambridge

Cuckoo finch and host chicks

Caption

Cuckoo finch and host chicks. Brood parasitism is costly for hosts because a cuckoo finch chick begs for food very vigorously as soon as it hatches, outcompeting the host parents’ own chicks (here zitting cisticolas) which typically soon die of starvation.

Credit

Claire N. Spottiswoode

Usage Restrictions

Credit must be given to the creator. Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.

License

CC BY-SA

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.