Work

Superb starlings swap helper and breeder roles with kin and non-kin

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A 20-year field study of the African superb starling (Lamprotornis superbus) found striking evidence that birds often switch breeding roles from year to year by taking turns as ‘breeders’ or each other’s ‘helpers’. This reciprocal assistance was not explained by genetic relatedness (kinship) and required decades of observation to be detected. A 20-year study uncovered a cryptic form of reciprocity between birds over their lifetime.

Source: Nature

DOI: 10.1038/d41586-025-01374-8

Language: English

Topic: Animal Behavior and Reproduction

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $12,690

OpenAlex ID: W4410163619

FWCI:

Cites: 5

Cited by:

Related to: 10