Citation

Signalling of need by offspring to their parents

H. Charles J. Godfray

Nature (1991)

TL;DR

Hungry nestlings beg more intensely

Analyzes nestling begging calls as costly honest signals of hunger. Begging is energetically expensive and increases predation risk, ensuring only truly hungry nestlings beg intensely.

Key Findings from Godfray (1991)

  • Begging is costly to produce
  • Hungry nestlings beg more intensely
  • Cost maintains signal honesty

Related Mechanisms for Signalling of need by offspring to their parents

Handicap Principle Costly Signals

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