Why Some Bird Eggs Have Patterns
By: NDTVNewsDesk
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Bird egg patterns serve as camouflage, help parents identify their own eggs and can reinforce the eggshell's structure.
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Patterns can also signal the mother's health and are sometimes used to protect the chicks from sun damage or overheating.
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Ground-nesting birds often have speckled or streaked eggs that blend in with their surroundings, making them harder for predators to find.
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The patterns help conceal the eggs, increasing their chances of survival.
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Patterns allow parent birds to recognise their own eggs and more easily identify and reject foreign eggs laid by brood parasites like cuckoos.
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Cuckoos have evolved to lay eggs that mimic the patterns of their hosts to avoid being detected.
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The colour and patterns on an egg can signal the health and quality of the female parent.
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Brighter, more complex patterns may indicate that the female is healthy and can produce high-quality eggs that are more likely to survive.
Image: Pexels
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