Instinct

• Mutual Reciprocity by M. E. Coggins, 6/24/98
  
  

An addendum to my previous post on mutual reciprocity...

Three days after the wrens have all left the nest, the pair of catbirds viciously continue to guard the wren nest. They go so far as to climb on top of the gourd, not more than ten feet away from me, and squalk their warning that I'd better not come any closer.

Interesting that this behavior continues, even after the nest is empty. Even more fascinating to me is that the catbirds are protecting the wrens. The catbirds now, also, have young of their own.

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