Finch Mothers Can Subconsciously Control the Gender of Their Little Ones

The Gouldian finch female has a neat trick for maximizing her offspring's chance of survival: If she mates with a male who is a poor match for her genetically, she increases the proportion of male chicks in the resulting brood. In a new study, researchers say they've found unprecedented evidence that these birds can exert control over the gender of their offspring. The endangered finch, native to the northern savannahs of Australia, can have either a black or red head, and the two different "morphs" have significant genetic differences, lead researcher Sarah Pryke says.