cuckoos

Cuckoo chicks look similar to their host chicks. Cuckoo chicks (left) and their host "brothers" of different species (right) | Source: Naomi Langmore

The divergent adaptation of cuckoos

Cuckoos develop eggs and chicks that resemble those of their hosts, to avoid detection. When they have more than one host, this can lead to the creation of new species of cuckoos – especially if they are “violent”.
Onon, before going on a journey. Photo: The Mongolia Cuckoo Project

Cuckoo without borders

A particularly rare leopard cuckoo has traveled 26 kilometers and visited 16 countries in the past year. Along the way, it has become an international web star and provided more important information about the migration patterns of birds around the world.
The lead chick - there is a hook on its beak which will be absorbed later. Photo from the original article

to murder hatched