Uncertain rainy days make birds turn to family, Cornell study finds
Cornell Chronicle feature
Irby Lovette, Associate Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Laboratory of Ornithology
Rather than striking out to raise their family, members of some bird species cooperate to help raise their siblings, nephews, nieces, cousins -- or even unrelated young.
Researchers have long noted which factors lead to these seemingly altruistic decisions, but now for the first time, Cornell researchers have linked a specific environmental factor to the evolution of cooperative family life in numerous bird species: unpredictable rainfall.
features person
- Lovette, John I | Associate Professor and Director of the Fuller Evolutionary Biology Program, and Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology