Wrens teach their eggs to sing

[Still Waters]

Mothers usually set about teaching their offspring the moment they're born. But the females of one Australian bird can't wait that long.

Superb fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) mothers sing to their unhatched eggs to teach the embryo inside a 'password' — a single unique note — which the nestlings must later incorporate into their begging calls if they want to get fed.

The trick allows fairy-wren parents to distinguish between their own offspring and those of the two cuckoo species that frequently invade their nests. The female birds also teach their mates the password.

http://www.nature.co...to-sing-1.11779

[Ashotep]

So maybe us humans should be talking to our babies before they are born. Set down some rules if they want to get feed. Seriously would it make for a smarter baby.