To test whether this was the case, the researchers took cuckoo eggs laid in fairy-wren nests, and switched them into thornbill nests. They then used tiny microphones clipped on nearby foliage to follow what happened. "We were amazed to find that the chicks could modify their calls," Langmore said. The chicks first begged like a fairy-wren chick, but within several days had switched to match the length of the thornbill's call. "Remarkably, they make the same begging call as the chicks of whichever host rears them, even though they never actually hear the host chicks," said Langmore. The surprising result suggests that the cuckoos could have a range of call options genetically pre-programmed, she said. Chicks reared by a host other than a fairy-wren might find that they aren't getting fed properly because they aren't making the right call. That could prompt them to apply a simple rule that says "switch to an alternative begging call if I'm going hungry." "Cuckoos survive by fooling other birds into rearing their chicks, so they are grand masters of deception," said Langmore. Related Links: Discovery News blog: Born Animal |
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