Parent blue-footed boobies suppress siblicidal behavior of offspring

@article{Lougheed1999ParentBB,
  title={Parent blue-footed boobies suppress siblicidal behavior of offspring},
  author={Lynn W. Lougheed and D. John Anderson},
  journal={Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology},
  year={1999},
  volume={45},
  pages={11-18}
}
Abstract Behaviorally dominant nestlings routinely kill sibling nestmates in blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) broods during periods of food shortage. Previous work demonstrated that these dominant, first-hatching “A-chicks” regulate the lethality of their behavior towards subordinate, second-hatching “B-chicks,” showing tolerance towards B-chicks except during chronic food shortages. Siblicide by A-chicks usually occurs after the hatchling stage. Results of an interspecific cross-fostering… 
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The third-hatched nestling seems to experience some of the "overflow" of aggression occurring between its two older siblings, which is unsurprising because siblicide occurs when feeding rates are comparatively low.
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  • S. Legge
  • Environmental Science
    Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology
  • 2000
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It is suggested that CORT and P are regulated to promote exaggerated mass gain in socially challenged A-chicks, facilitating siblicide.
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Brood reduction through siblicide in this species is a two‐phase process: eviction from the nest area, followed by death from predation, exposure or starvation, which is uniquely confined to this species within the Stercorariidae.
Parent–offspring and sibling conflict in Galápagos fur seals and sea lions
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It is presented the first examples of deadly conflict between siblings of different cohorts in Galápagos fur seals and sea lions, where up to 23% of all pups are born while the older sibling is still being nursed.
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