Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Unconditional love

Brood parasitism in action. A Malaysian Pied-fantail parent feeding a Rusty-breasted Cuckoo fledgling beside the nest. The Fantail has no idea that the baby bird was not genetically related to her; the Fantail mama continued to feed the Cuckoo chick for weeks till the latter grew even bigger than its foster parent. A 500mm telephoto was used to provide adequate distance and avoid disturbance to the nesting.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2023
Date Uploaded: 09.2023
Photo Location: Singapore, Singapore
Camera: NIKON D850
Copyright: © Tze Siong Tan