Question

Four species of birds have different egg colors:
[1] white with no markings,
[2] pale brown with no markings,
[3] grey-brown with dark streaks and spots,
[4] pale blue with dark blue-green spots.
Based on egg color, which species is most likely to nest in a deep tree hole?
A. [1]
B. [2]
C. [3]
D. [4]

Answer 1

One of the most prevalent ecological factors responsible for the diversity of egg coloration is the interaction between brood parasites and their hosts. Another important factor for different coloration is to camouflage so that the egg is safe from predators.

Complete step by step answer: Camouflage is also called cryptic coloration. It is a defense mechanism or tactic that organisms use to disguise their appearance, usually to blend in with their surroundings. Organisms use camouflage to mask their location, identity, and movement. The eggs that are pale brown with no markings, grey-brown with dark streaks and spots, pale blue with dark blue-green spots will easily camouflage itself and the predators will not be attracted to it even if the nesting is in open space. The streaks and spots will make them look a little scary and most predators will stay away from it and will not consider it as food. The eggs with white color with no markings will become a threat to itself if the nesting is in open space. The predators will either eat them or destroy them, so this species is most likely to nest in a deep tree hole.
So, the answer is A, i.e., [1]

Note: A species’ camouflage is also influenced by the behavior or characteristics of its predators.
If the predator is color-blind, for example, the prey species will not need to match the color of its surroundings. Lions, the main predator of zebras, are color-blind. Zebras’ black-and-white camouflage does not need to blend into their habitat. Background matching and disruptive coloration, are forms of mimicry. Mimicry is when one organism looks or acts like an object or another organism.