Child abuse in birds: Study documents 'cycle of violence' in nature

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-10/wfu-cai100311.php

Public release date: 3-Oct-2011

Contact: Cheryl Walker
[e-mail]
336-758-6073
http://www.wfu.edu/">Wake Forest University

Child abuse in birds: Study documents 'cycle of violence' in nature

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The new study of Nazca boobies by Wake Forest University researchers provides the first evidence from the animal world showing those who are abused when they are young often grow up to be abusers. The study appears in the October issue of the ornithology journal, The Auk.

"We were surprised by the intense interest that many adults show in unrelated young, involving really rough treatment," said Wake Forest Professor of Biology Dave Anderson, who led the study with Wake Forest graduate student Martina Müller. "A bird's history as a target of abuse proved to be a strong predictor of its adult behavior."

In Nazca boobies, traumatic abuse of developing young significantly increases the chances those maltreated individuals will exhibit the same maltreatment later in life as adults, Müller said. She is now at the University of Groeningen in the Netherlands.

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"It's fascinating that what many would consider an extremely complex human phenomenon is also occurring - perhaps through the same physiological mechanism — in Nazca boobies, which are more closely related to crocodiles than mammals," Grace said. "Both studies suggest Nazca boobies might be a good model system to begin understanding the mechanisms underlying the cycle of violence in humans."

[BrendaBrick]

1. Interesting article,

but I wonder how much has to do with the fact that this behavior takes place within a "closed system" such as the Galapagos as compared to say, a
more open-type environment where other mannerisms of behavior (non-abusive) could be observed and thus imitated?

[OKIsItJustMe]

5. I believe there is a range of behaviors

That’s why they are able to contrast behavior of the abused chicks with others.

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The researchers collected data during three breeding seasons documenting which nestlings suffered abuse or neglect, then several years later evaluated their behavior as adults in the same colony. They tracked the birds and identified them using leg bands.

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[Phoonzang]

2. I was actually going to make an intelligent comment until I saw the

name of the bird species. Now...hehheehe.

[DetlefK]

4. Hehehe ... Nazca ... *giggle*

[rug]

3. I blame the cardinals.