Question 11
(Multiple Choice)
Refer to the figure.
These results show the occurrence of nest predation by cowbirds on prothonotary warblers. After cowbirds laid an egg in the nest, the nests were divided into three treatments:
1) The cowbird egg was removed, and the nest opening left as is.
2) The cowbird egg and the nest entrance were left as is.
3) The cowbird egg was removed, and the nest opening was made smaller to prevent cowbirds from entering.
These results show that
A) cowbirds repeatedly parasitize nests that they can easily access.
B) cowbirds retaliate against hosts if they discover their egg has been destroyed.
C) cowbird predation did not significantly impact the reproductive success of the warblers.
D) the presence of a parasitic chick significantly reduced survival of the warbler chicks.
Answer