coolthingoftheday:

Some scientists believe that the chick of the bird known as the cinereous mourner may have evolved to resemble a type of fuzzy orange caterpillar commonly found in the region, which predators avoid because it is extremely toxic. Watching and photographing a nest of baby birds in the Peruvian rainforest, scientists noted that in addition to sporting a caterpillar-esque coat, the chick waved its head from side to side when the nest was disturbed. Such behavior is peculiar for a baby bird – but it’s a very caterpillar thing to do.