Brood parasitism imposes several fitness costs on the host species. To reduce these costs,
hosts of avian brood parasites have evolved various defenses, of which egg rejection is the …

Often considered a textbook example of coevolution, common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)
eggs are among the best-studied eggs in the world. Female cuckoos belong to genetically …

Despite a recent explosion of research on pattern recognition, in both neuroscience and
computer vision, we lack a basic understanding of how most animals perceive and respond …

Before complex nests evolved, birds laid eggs on the ground, and egg retrieval evolved as
an adaptation against accidental displacement of eggs outside the nest. Therefore, egg …

Phenotype–environment associations in coloration often involve camouflage, enabling
organisms to blend into their environment and thereby reducing predatory attacks. The …

Many species of birds produce distinct calls when mobbing predators. These calls often
recruit nearby conspecifics and heterospecifics to help drive the predators away. In some …

What makes a perfect signature? Optimal signatures should be consistent within individuals
and distinctive between individuals. In defense against avian brood parasitism, some host …

By laying their eggs in the nests of other birds, avian brood parasites impose the cost of
rearing young upon their hosts. The recognition and rejection of foreign eggs are primary …

The environment can impose constraints on signal transmission properties such that signals
should evolve in predictable directions (Sensory Drive Hypothesis). However, behavioral …

Camouflage is used by prey to avoid detection by predators, and by predators to remain
unseen by their prey. Effective camouflage can be achieved through background matching …