What is imprinting?

• A. Bird becoming tame through frequent petting
• B. Bird learning to mimic calls
• C. Bird identifying with humans
• D. Bird recognizing food by scent

Answer: (C)

Imprinting is a rapid, irreversible learning process in a young bird during a sensitive period, where it forms a strong social attachment and identifies the first moving object it encounters as a parent or mate. When that first caregiver is a human, the bird can imprint on humans, leading to a bond with people rather than its own species and often to following humans. This is why identifying with humans is the best description. It’s not simply tame from petting, nor is it about mimicking sounds or recognizing food by scent.