Characters: Grey Bellied Cuckoo (Juvenile) and Purple-rumped Sunbird (Adult Female)
Location: Solapur, Maharashtra
Background: This adult female sunbird was spotted feeding the juvenile cuckoo, a beautiful pic demonstrating brood parasitism. Brood parasitism where in one parasite species uses the services of another host species to raise its brood (a nest of baby birds is called a brood) is not just limited to certain bird species, but also seen in some fishes and insects.
We all have heard of the story of cuckoo laying its eggs in a crow’s nest. Such manipulation can happen through similar looking eggs (egg mimicry) or even extends to destroying the host eggs by the parasite. Cuckoos are also known to parasitize nests of bulbuls, shrikes and tailor birds. Young cuckoos born are also known to nudge, kick their host siblings out of their nest!
Still the way this sunbird was so lovingly taking care of the now young cuckoo shows that a mother’s love is blind!!
Mumma Sunbird singing;
“I am a sunbird and this is my child
Bigger than the rest; he is a little wild
His color is different and so is his beak
I love my baby;
I don’t think he is a freak!”
Baby Cuckoo answers back;
“I am a cuckoo and this is my mumma
My cuckoo mumma left me; was quite a trauma
I did kick my sibling and I did eat their food
My mumma still loves me
And now I am part of her brood!”
Photograph Credit: Santoshbhau Dhakpade (Heartfelt thanks for sharing this moment!)
Location: Solapur, Maharashtra
Background: This adult female sunbird was spotted feeding the juvenile cuckoo, a beautiful pic demonstrating brood parasitism. Brood parasitism where in one parasite species uses the services of another host species to raise its brood (a nest of baby birds is called a brood) is not just limited to certain bird species, but also seen in some fishes and insects.
We all have heard of the story of cuckoo laying its eggs in a crow’s nest. Such manipulation can happen through similar looking eggs (egg mimicry) or even extends to destroying the host eggs by the parasite. Cuckoos are also known to parasitize nests of bulbuls, shrikes and tailor birds. Young cuckoos born are also known to nudge, kick their host siblings out of their nest!
Still the way this sunbird was so lovingly taking care of the now young cuckoo shows that a mother’s love is blind!!
Mumma Sunbird singing;
“I am a sunbird and this is my child
Bigger than the rest; he is a little wild
His color is different and so is his beak
I love my baby;
I don’t think he is a freak!”
Baby Cuckoo answers back;
“I am a cuckoo and this is my mumma
My cuckoo mumma left me; was quite a trauma
I did kick my sibling and I did eat their food
My mumma still loves me
And now I am part of her brood!”
Photograph Credit: Santoshbhau Dhakpade (Heartfelt thanks for sharing this moment!)
