Even among colorful birds, baby coots are garish. Their tequila sunrise coloring isn’t to warn off predators or grab a mate, however—it ensures their parents pay attention to them, The Atlantic reports. Mother coots give more food to colorful offspring, researchers reveal in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The chicks shed their standout feathers as they grow, and by the time they’re old enough to leave the nest, they’re nearly as drab-colored as their parents.