How does the common cuckoo manage to deceive other bird species into raising its chicks? Why are its eggs such remarkable forgeries? And what does the never-ending evolutionary arms race between the cuckoo and its hosts look like?
These are the questions explored in an extensive feature published by the prestigious French newspaper Le Monde. The journalist travelled to South Moravia to meet our colleague Marcel Honza and his team, showcasing more than three decades of cuckoo research at the Mutenice fishponds. This unique long-term study has established the Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences as one of the world’s leading centres for research on brood parasitism.
The article reveals that behind the seemingly simple story of a „borrowed nest“ lies a fascinating world of evolution, genetics and animal behaviour and many questions that scientists are still working to answer.
Congratulations to the entire team on this wonderful international recognition!
More information here.
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