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Outdoors: Pledge Drive Special

Giving creates a special bond!

Giving creates a special bond

Have you noticed that in an operetta or musical, when a couple is beginning to fall in love, they burst into song and their behavior often seems downright infantile.

That how courtship and pair bonding occur in many species of songbirds.

The male sings, and attracted by the song, a female responds by acting like a baby bird, crouching before the male with quivering wings, gaping mouth and cheeping piteously---what we call begging behavior.

The male responds by cramming tasty morsels into her mouth. This presumably serves a purpose---a well-fed female produces stronger offspring.

But why does the female put so much energy and effort into begging? Couldn't she just forage for herself?

Apparently, courtship feeding really does provide the prenatal food supplement which helps the nestlings thrive, but just as important is pair- bonding. When a male gives a gift to a female, their relationship changes. A bond is formed between the giver and the recipient.

The same thing happens with public radio. Understand a listener can enjoy the programming without making a donation, but the relationship changes when a gift is made. Call today so you can help IPR thrive and also form a very special bond with the station.

"Outdoors with Coggin Heeringa" can be heard every Wednesday on Classical IPR.