Hello everyone,

although cowbirds can be a real problem, especially when trying to conserve
endangered species, i still find them fascinating. since they are brood
parasites -- tricking or bullying other species of birds to raise their
chicks for them -- nestling cowbirds are set up with an identity crisis
that affects every aspect of their lives. how do these birds deal with this
issue? this is the subject of a piece i just published that finds a
molecular mechanism that underlies the neural mechanism for how these birds
adapt:

Cowbirds' Secret Identity Is Unlocked By A Vocal Password
http://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2017/05/11/cowbirds-secret-identity-is-unlocked-by-a-vocal-password/

hope you enjoyed this tiny glimpse into these birds' lives.

--
GrrlScientist | at GrrlScientist <https://twitter.com/GrrlScientist>
Blogs: Forbes <http://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/> | Evolution
Institute <https://evolution-institute.org/profile/grrlscientist/?source=> |
Medium <https://medium.com/ at GrrlScientist>
Keep up with my writing: TinyLetter <https://tinyletter.com/grrlscientist>
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sunt lacrimae rerum et mentem mortalia tangunt. [Virgil, Aeneid]


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