This is bird note. In nature, one way to avoid being eaten is to look like something you're

not. Ideally, something that tastes really awful or that might even kill you. Science calls

this Batesian mimicry, named for a 19th century naturalist. Bates found that some perfectly edible butterflies had evolved

color patterns that mimic those of toxic butterflies, which predators avoid. Well, these butterflies are

not alone. The Cinerius mourner is a small ashy gray bird that lives in the forest understory of the Amazon basin,

and it's taking mimicry to the next level.

Its chick looks like a poisonous caterpillar.

The chick's covered in vivid orange feathers, punctuated with black dots.

Lying alone in its cup-shaped nest, it's a near match to a highly toxic caterpillar,

one that snakes and monkeys won't eat. The chick even waves its head like a caterpillar,

increasing the illusion. Cinerious mourners live in an area where many bird's nestlings are routinely lost to predators,

and this may explain how a bird wound up dressed as a deadly caterpillar.

For bird note, I'm Michael Stein.

This episode is brought to you by Wild Delight Bird Food,

which aims to support wild bird populations with clean, nutritious ingredients in every blend.

Available at chewy.com.