News Animals

A parasitic cuckoo can be a good thing

In moments of danger, intruder chick releases slime that may foil attackers

MIXED BLESSING  A great spotted cuckoo chick (front) doesn’t directly kill the carrion crow nestlings it grows up with and, in a crisis, it may benefit the entire nest.

Courtesy of Vittorio Baglione

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

A parasitic cuckoo chick foisted upon other birds can turn out to be luck in disguise, saving the nest with a disgusting defense.