What parrots do to each other’s young will haunt me forever

Parrots are some of the most fascinating birds on our planet.

They are very intelligent animals and can use tools, sing, talk, adopt each other and even kill each other!

Sorry, yes, parrots sometimes literally kill each other and even more disturbing: this often happens to young parrots, also called parrots.

A new study proves once again that the Animal Kingdom is nothing less than a beautiful horror show. A new study has found that while many parrot species are known to kill their rivals’ babies to secure sexual or social advantage, some parrots groom other animals. for the youth of dead or missing comrades.

I’m still reeling from the news that they kill each other’s young, but I think it’s cute that adult parrots sometimes adopt parrots too?!

Study senior author Steven Beissinger, professor of environmental science, policy and management at the University of California, Berkeley, explained to Futurity exactly why this is all happening.

He said: “With parrots, infanticide and adoption are about property and love. Most infanticide attacks occurred when a breeding pair was attacked by another pair trying to take over a coveted nest site.

“It also happened when males wanted to mate with a widow who already had offspring, but we were surprised to find that these new males were as likely to adopt the offspring as to attack.”

The study also found that males who adopted unrelated offspring went on to nest with widowed females and began breeding at an earlier age than their competitors.

‘Stepfathers scored love – a new partner – and real estate – a nesting place!’ Beissinger said.

Okay. Good. That’s really cute, I think.

In short, in the world of parrots, you are either killed or loved when you are at your most vulnerable.

That’s surreal considering they simply couldn’t kill each other’s young, you know?