Begging Behavior by Baby Birds



Begging Behavior by Baby Birds

Birds are not the only animals in which offspring have special signals that appear to communicate need to a parent.In nature, when the birds are born in a clutch of eight, in general, only four survive infancy. This is due to competition for food, where baby's calls that produce stronger and longer get most of the food of his mother. For example, the weaver bird chicks modify the duration, pitch and amplitude of their calls asking, with trills and whistles emphasizing short. The hunger of the birds is the most unique appeal for her. In addition, older baby birds' younger brothers force off the road and avoid receiving food.

The chicks are behavioral adaptations to protect themselves from the harsh environmental conditions and predators. Parrots are born devoid of any protection, except for a thin covering of down low. To isolate the cold and keep warm huddle, parrot babies together filling the top of each other with the smallest at the bottom and larger at the top. Shorebirds and penguin babies learn from their parents to come together to keep warm, which increases their chances of survival in the next season (Murry & Murry, 2002).

Some birds do not provide parental care or build nests for their babies. Instead, lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. These birds, called brood parasites are cuckoos, honey guides and thrushes. Brood parasites tend to have shorter incubation periods and to lay their eggs in the nests of smaller birds to give their young the competitive survival advantage. The offspring of parasitic birds learn to adapt their behavior with the threat of the bird seed host. The baby breeding parasite grows faster and bigger, and asks for more and more for food than their nest mates ...