Babies need to be taken care of. They need to
be fed, kept warm and protected from things that might hurt them. Mum and
Dad usually carry out these jobs, but other adults will also help to look
after new arrivals. When you were born, you may have had an older brother
or sister, or an aunty or uncle help care for you. In humans, looking
after babies is often the responsibility of all family members, but did
you know that for some animals, raising young is also a family affair?
The Rufous Treecreeper is a bird species that
lives in the forests and woodlands of southern Western Australia. An
interesting fact about the treecreeper is that it lives in family groups.
These groups are often made up of an older male and female (Dad and Mum)
and their sons and daughters. The family group occupies a small area in
the woodland for the entire year and sometimes for many years. This area
is called a territory or home range.
Like most birds, treecreepers breed in spring.
They build nests in hollows (holes in the branches of trees) and all
family members help to build the nest. Once the nest is built, the oldest
female (Mum) lays between one to three eggs. She is the only one to sit on
the eggs until they hatch. After hatching, there are always hungry
nestlings to feed (Photo 1). This is where help from the family becomes
important. Mum, Dad and the older brothers and sisters (born the previous
breeding season) of the nestlings all help to feed the new born birds
while they are still in the nest. This help is important because it
ensures that enough food is brought to the nestlings and allows Mum to
have a well-earned rest after the exhausting business of egg laying.
What is most interesting about the Rufous
Treecreeper is that it is not only the immediate family that helps to feed
the nestlings. On some occasions, treecreepers from neighbouring
territories will also help. We are not sure if these birds are related to
the nestlings they are feeding (for example, aunties or uncles) or just
friendly neighbours. However, their help may be important in ensuring that
the young nestlings get sufficient food until they are old enough to leave
the nest and begin finding food for themselves (Photo 2).
Babies need care, and the job is made easier
if the workload is shared among family members. Just like humans, some
animals live in family groups that share the responsibility of raising
young. With help from the family, these young soon become adults and are
ready to take their turn at baby-sitting. Next time one of your family or
friends has a new baby to care for, make sure you offer to help in
whatever way you can. Remember that for animals like the Rufous
Treecreeper, help from family members is very important in successfully
raising nestlings and ultimately for the survival of the species.
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