Final answer:
Maria likely chose a pie chart because it clearly shows how the observed bird species are proportionally divided in relation to each other, making it easy to interpret the diversity of species visiting her feeders.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most likely reason Maria chose a pie chart to represent her findings is that pie charts are excellent for showing how an overall group is divided into proportional segments. By using a pie chart, she could visually express the percentage each bird species contributed to the total number of sightings at her feeders.
This type of chart is especially useful for a small number of categories, as it illustrates the relative frequency or size of each category in a way that is easy to interpret at a glance. Pie charts allow viewers to quickly grasp the proportion of different types within a whole, such as the diversity of bird species visiting Maria's backyard.