The stick insects that survive being eaten by birds

It’s commonly assumed that when insects are eaten by birds, they and their unborn young have no chance of survival. However, a team of researchers hypothesized that the eggs within insect bodies can pass through birds undigested. They tested this hypothesis with stick insects, known for their hard eggs, and found that some eggs are excreted unharmed and successfully hatch. Stick insects cannot travel very far by themselves, so being eaten by birds could even contribute to expanding their habitat.