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==Exploitation==
[[Image:Reed warbler cuckoo.jpg|left|thumb|Brood parasites provide a supernormal stimulus to the parenting species.]]
Some species have evolved to exploit the fixed action patterns of other species. Replicating the releasing mechanism required to trigger an FAP is known as '''code-breaking'''. A well known example of this is [[brood parasitism]], where one species will lay its eggs in the nest of another species, which will then parent its young. A young [[North American cowbird]], for example, provides a supernormal stimulus to its parent, which will cause it to forage rapidly in order to satisfy the larger bird's demands.<ref>Wickler, W. (1968) ''Mimicry in Plants and Animals.'' World University Library, London.</ref> In a natural situation a nestling will provide higher levels of stimulus with noisier, more energetic behavior, communicating its urgent need for food. Parents in this situation should work extra hard to provide food, otherwise their offspring are likely to die of [[starvation]].
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