miksis

Miksis refers to a phenomenon observed in certain species of birds, particularly passerines, where individuals engage in what appears to be the intentional displacement or theft of nesting materials. This behavior is distinct from typical nest building or defense and often involves taking materials already placed by another bird or even those that have been abandoned. The term itself is derived from the Greek word "míxis," meaning mixing or intermingling, which hints at the seemingly chaotic or disorganized nature of the material transfer.

The exact purpose and evolutionary advantage of miksis are not fully understood and remain a subject of ongoing research. Several hypotheses have been proposed. One suggests it may be a form of resource competition, where individuals attempt to gain an advantage by acquiring materials that would otherwise be used by a rival. Another theory posits that it could be an accidental byproduct of foraging for nest materials, where birds inadvertently pick up items already gathered by others. Some researchers also consider the possibility that miksis might play a role in kin selection, particularly if the target nests belong to related individuals. Further investigation is needed to definitively clarify the drivers and consequences of this intriguing avian behavior.