This is BirdNode.

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 baitsian 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 Scenerius Mourner is a small, ashy gray bird that lives in the forest under story

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.

Scenerius Mourners live in an area where many birds 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.

Support for Bird Note is provided by Sarah Mourner and Craig McKibben from Seattle, Washington,

and generous listeners around the world.