The Newly Hatched Bird

Abstract

Previous chapters have shown that, as Hinde (1970) points out, hatching ‘is not a zero-point for the development of behaviour’. Rather, the chances of successful hatching are maximized by the embryo’s activity during the last few days of incubation (Chapter 2). As lung ventilation is established before hatching, and as, for many species conditions within the nest are very similar in the pre- and post-hatching periods, it seems possible that there is more continuity during the trans-hatching period for the avian embryo and chick, than there is in mammals during the corresponding period (for continuity between the human fetus and neonate see, e.g., Prechtl, 1965). Areas where continuity has been observed, and areas where new behavioural features have been demonstrated will be considered very briefly below.