Zebra finches chirp weather report to unhatched chicks
The Zebra finch lives in arid regions of Australia, where adjusting to the heat is critical. By calling to their eggs near the end of the incubation period, zebra finch parents help their young prepare for the heat, especially if the temperature is higher than 26 degrees celsius. A new study by Dr. Mylene Mariette from The School of Life And Environmental Sciences at Deakin University in Australia found the chicks alter their growth rate and reduce their body mass upon hatching in extreme heat. It is known that a smaller body mass is an advantage in higher temperatures. The scientists believe the mechanism by which the finches change their growth rate may be related to the effect sound has on hormone levels in unhatched chicks.
Related Links:
- Paper in Science
- Deakin University research news
- Washington Post story and video
- BBC News story
- Smithsonian Magazine article