Parasite Arms Race Spurs Color Change in Bird Eggs

Summary: The eggs laid by two African bird species have evolved different color patterns over a pattern of just 40 years! Cuckoo finches, like the one in the picture, are called brood parasites. These birds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds so that the other birds will be tricked into raising the cuckoo finches as their own. In order to keep their eggs from being evicted, the cuckoo finch eggs have evolved to look more like its most common target, the tawny-flanked prinia. The prinia eggs have also evolved as a defense mechanism so that the prinias won't be tricked by the cuckoo finch eggs.

Critique: Firstly- those sneaky birds! Secondly, it's incredible that this has happened in such a short time.

Impact: It's really cool and maybe the prinias won't be tricked into raising the cuckoo finches as often.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/04/16/parasite_arms_race_spurs_color_change_in_bird_eggs.html