A brood parasite is an animal that tricks other species into raising its young, most commonly seen in birds like cuckoos and cowbirds.

How It Works

• Lays eggs in another bird's nest.
• Leaves the young for the host parents to feed.
• Skips the hard work of building nests and raising babies.

Effects on the Host

• Host parents waste energy feeding a fake chick.
• Host chicks often die of hunger or get pushed out of the nest.
• Lowers the number of true babies the host family can raise.