Hummingbird Chick Found Mimicking Dangerous Caterpillar in Panama

Researchers confirm White-necked Jacobin chick uses unique fluffy feathers and nest camouflage as predator defense, with findings published in Ecology.

• A White-necked Jacobin hummingbird chick in Panama was found with fluffy down feathers resembling a toxic caterpillar, likely deterring predators.
• The chick's mimicry parallels the defensive strategy of the Cinereous Mourner, another bird species that uses similar adaptations.
• Researchers observed that the chick's nest was camouflaged with hairy Balsa tree seeds, adding an extra layer of protection.
• The chick also exhibited caterpillar-like behavior, such as head-shaking, when threatened by predators like carnivorous wasps.
• The discovery, made by researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, highlights the evolutionary significance of mimicry in tropical ecosystems.

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