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how does the chick recognise her own mother?

Because of Imprinting:

It occurs at a particular time during early postnatal life. It doesn't necessarily imply "the first thing a chick sees". For example, in anserine birds such as ducks and geese, the time for imprinting is 24-48 hours after hatching when the 'following response' is learnt. At this time a gosling learns to follow his mother who is normally the first large moving creature in his world. In these species imprinting can occur on any object within a certain size range regardless of its colour or shape. Movement helps to attract attention but is by no means essential.


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