Superb starlings in East Africa display remarkable cooperative breeding behaviors, exceeding typical familial support systems.
These birds form long-lasting friendships, characterized by reciprocal help in raising each other's offspring across multiple years.
Unrelated birds assist with chick-rearing, providing essential food and protection, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement.
This reciprocal altruism strengthens social bonds within the flock, highlighting the complexity of avian social structures.
