Nest wars

Rogue cuckoos

Ever thought that ...birds could behave like rogues? It’s true — some birds like cuckoos which lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, use brutal and intimidatory tactics to force other birds to raise their chicks. Cuckoos are known to destroy the eggs and chicks of birds that have rejected their eggs. A new survey shows American cowbirds have a bigger racket going. Guess what the lazy cowbirds do? They lay their eggs in the nests of wild warblers and wait and watch to check if the warbler takes care of their chicks. If they don’t, the poor warblers’ nests are vandalised and their eggs destroyed. The warblers are then forced to build their nests elsewhere with the cowbirds spying on them and sneaking in to lay their eggs. In fact, researchers say warblers stand to benefit by accepting and raising cowbirds’ chicks.

Mewsic

Talent speak

Heard of the cat who plays the piano? Nora, a three-year-old cat, has turned into a celebrity ever since her musical talents have come to the fore. She started playing on her own at the age of one but her favourite remains playing duets with her mistress’s students. She has no training but everybody agrees she has a sense of rhythm. She has appeared in the popular television show Good Morning America and several other shows across France, Germany, Spain, the UK, Malaysia, Lebanon and Australia among others. So if you have a cat at home you know what to do, right? Just take him along to your music classes and you never know what talents you may discover.