First of all, how adorable are these birds? Second of all, don't get too cooey over the picture. It's a composite!
Anyway, what I really want to talk about is the fact that these birds, appropriately named the "superb fairy-wren," have helped explain a previously mysterious facet of altruism. The birds' behavior led scientists to the idea that mothers benefit the most from do-gooder behavior.
Superb fairy-wrens and other species sometimes employ "helpers" to assist with raising young. Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that mother birds with helpers have smaller offspring (extra feeding from the helpers offsets any disadvantage caused by being little), and thereby conserve energy while gestating said offspring. That conserved energy leads to a longer lifespan, more frequent reproduction and voila, more overall evolutionary success!
Another awesome and surprising thing about the superb fairy-wren: the helpers are ALWAYS MALE.
Press release here.
Washington Post story here.
