Laughing gull chicks: recognition of their parents' voices

Laughing gull chicks between 6 and 13 days old responded to the calls of their own parents with orientation toward the sound, approach, increased locomotion, and vocalization. In response to the same kinds of calls from other adults they tended to orient away from the sound, withdraw, and sit or crouch. Chicks as young as 6 days can identify their parents from individual characteristics in the calls of adult gulls.