Generic "will".

[mykwyner]

Is there a semantic difference between that (...will kill..) and: "When food is scarce, the biggest chick kills and eats the smaller ones"?

Originally Posted by mykwyner

Is there a semantic difference between that (...will kill..) and: "When food is scarce, the biggest chick kills and eats the smaller ones"?

Yes, the "will" emphasises generic quality, persistence or habit.

-used to express determination, insistence, persistence, or willfulness <I have made up my mind to go and go I will> b -- used to express inevitability <accidents will happen>

used to express frequent, customary, or habitual action or natural tendency or disposition <will get angry over nothing> <will work one day and loaf the next>

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...ionary&va=will

Definition
will (ALWAYS) [Show phonetics]
modal verb (ALSO 'll)
used when referring to something that always or usually happens:
Accidents will happen.
Fruit will keep longer in the fridge.
The product with the better-known brand name will always sell better.
She's 85 now, but she will insist on doing all her own housework.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/defi...0608&dict=CALD