Andy Young

@andyyoung.bsky.social

493 Followers 76 Following

Evolutionary Biologist - Social Evolution & Ageing (animalsocieties.org) Study sparrow-weavers, badgers & microbes @ #ExeterCEC in Cornwall UK Director MSc Evolutionary & Behavioural Ecology #ExeterGSES Rock climber, sea kayaker, father of twins

Maternal reaction norms to female helper numbers. With increasing female helper numbers, mothers increase their egg size but decrease their chick feeding rates.

Sparrow-weavers! A dominant breeding pair on the left (male has dark bill, female pale bill, in this subspecies). They can have up to 10 non-breeding adult helpers in their cooperatively breeding family. And a brood of three chicks on the right. Photos my own.

Our main fluffy study organisms - white-browed sparrow weaver & European badger. Photos my own.