5 ms·

So how does a group of baby cowbirds learn to be a group of cowbirds (without adults teaching them) then?

• MichaelZuo 4y ago
  I think the implication is that cowbird behaviours are genetically and/or epigenetically encoded.
  • mjh2539 4y ago
    That is not the implication. In the article they explain that the juvenile cowbirds spontaneously leave their brood host's nests at night and mingle with other cowbirds.
    • raarts 4y ago
      And why do they do that and their 'siblings' don't?
      • samatman 4y ago
        What's the purpose behind asking why unrelated animals do unrelated things? What would be a good answer, they're different?
      • xuhu 4y ago
        At some point they must realize, "I'm different, these are not my people, I must find others that are like me".
    • MichaelZuo 4y ago
      I don’t see how a large group of 4 week old cowbirds can know what’s correct cowbird behaviour anymore than a single 4 week old. It would be the blind leading the blind. If your assuming they acquire this knowledge on the night of, how do you suppose the cowbird group accomplishes this over a few hours in the field?