Gouldian Finches Control Their Chick's Gender (Subconsciously?)

[cyaneus]

From the Discover Magazine Blog:The Gouldian finch female has a neat trick for maximizing her offspring’s chance of survival: If she mates with a male who is a poor match for her genetically, she increases the proportion of male chicks in the resulting brood. In a new study, researchers say they’ve found unprecedented evidence that these birds can

Comments

[nightmer]

Wow, that's pretty amazing. I still don't get why a higher proportion of weaker males is a benefit, though. Anyone know?

[orwellian_trash]

They all have to compete and the weaker ones fail to successfully woo the ladies and therefore fail to pass on their genetic material. They don't go home empty handed, though: they all win a Crackerjack Pencil and a Darwin Award.

[nightmer]

So since any female who survives is pretty much guaranteed to find a mate, the mother is putting her offspring at a disadvantage since she knows they're weaker? This makes sense, but I've never heard of an adaptation that selects against the spreading of its genetic material. Huh.

[cyaneus]

The weaker males are more likely to survive than the even more fragile females.

[nightmer]

Oh, that would make sense. Also, awwwww cute vulture icon.