And sometimes share a meal free of charge.
Older Chicks common barn owls eat their food with their younger siblings in exchange for caring for the feathers.
This discovery was made by Swiss scientists, watching 27 broods of the barn owl. Their study published in The American naturalist is. According to the researchers, such behaviour is characteristic of primates and some grown birds, but the Chicks are nothing like this had not noticed before.
In one brood of barn owl is an average of 6 Chicks. They appear to light simultaneously, so in the nest are usually older and younger Chicks. When the parents bring prey such as field mouse, older Chicks can easily take it from Junior. In other species of birds they are, but not the barn owl, who are willing to share their food.
the Generosity of Chicks long time, put scientists in a deadlock. They were placed in the nest of barn owl small video camera and observed the behavior of Chicks a few days. As it turned out, the younger Chicks often cared for the feathers of senior, receiving in return food. But sometimes the food is donated to receive the small and weak chick, regardless of whether he worked for “hairdresser” or not.
the Scientists noted that barn owls have shared food only when it was enough. They preferred to give it to the brethren, and not to stock.
Anna Lysenko
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