COSMOS MAGAZINE
A baby hummingbird that looks like a dangerous caterpillar has been found in the rainforests of Panama.
Newly hatched White-necked Jacobin chick. Notice its dorsal fluffy down feathers. Credit: Michael Castaño-Díaz.
Credit: Michael Castaño-Díaz
The newly hatched bird had long, fluffy feathers all down its back – which had never been seen before on baby hummingbirds.
These feathers visually mimic the hairs of some caterpillar species, which can cause painful skin reactions, inflammation, headaches, fever and nausea in humans.
This caterpillar of the family Megalopygidae has hurticating hairs that can cause painful reactions. when touched Credit: Herschel Raney, iNaturalist.
Since hummingbird chicks are vulnerable to predators, the research team which found the chicks suggest that the fluffy hairs may serve to warn off other creatures looking for a feed.
A baby hummingbird that appears to be mimicking the form of a dangerous caterpillar Credit: Michael Castaño-Díaz