Fitz News in Africa - Birds & Birding: "I want more! Family feuds over food"

PFIAO. 2010. I want more! Family feuds over food. Africa - Birds & Birding 15(6):31.

"When most of us think of parent birds feeding a brood of nestlings, it conjures up an image of familial harmony. But this could not be further from the truth as beneath this veneer of cooperation and altruism lies a complex network of optimal investments and subversive strategies.

"Each time an adult finds a prey item it must weigh up multiple options. Should I eat this myself or, if I pass it on, to which nestling should I give it? Offspring also have multiple decisions to make when an adult arrives with food. How much should I beg? Is that really my brother and if it’s not, then should I lie about how hungry I am? Family life is far from peaceful..." More...