Helpers at the nest

Helpers at the nest is a term used in behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology to describe a social structure in which juveniles and sexually mature adolescents of either one or both sexes remain in association with their parents and help them raise subsequent broods or litters, instead of dispersing and beginning to reproduce themselves.[2] There are multiple proposed explanations for the behaviour, but its variability and broad taxonomic occurrences result in simultaneously plausible theories.Three explanations for the occurrence of helpers at the nest have been put forward; they are not mutually exclusive, and in any particular species an investigation of the exact benefits and costs will be needed to see what combination of these factors may have driven the evolution of helping.In a number of species, such as the logrunners[12] and the Siberian jay, young remain in the parental territory, but never help feed nestlings.[15] Helpers at the nest can provide advantageous plasticity in the amount of investment parents need to give to their eggs and chicks.Large acorn crops translate to increased behavioural effects from male helpers such as higher rates of granary tending and time spent in the home territory.