These Colorful Birds Form Long-Term 'Friendships' by Helping Out With Babysitting, Study Suggests

These Colorful Birds Form Long-Term 'Friendships' by Helping Out With Babysitting, Study Suggests

While scientists have observed animals assisting their relatives, a new study reveals that many superb starlings also form supportive relationships with non-relatives that can last for years

Birds Form Long-Term Bonds With Non-Relatives Resembling Friendship: Study

Researchers have found that birds, like humans, form friendships with non-relatives over long periods of time. They discovered that, while starlings preferentially helped relatives, they also frequently and consistently aided specific non-relative birds, even in situations where there were relatives available to help. “The fact that humans who are not related by blood help each other repeatedly over time is demonstrably true — think of the ongoi…

Many years of research on the African starlings have shown that these birds form long-lasting social bonds that closely resemble human friendships. Unrelated individuals help each other, especially in matters related to raising offspring.