Question

Cowbirds are known to lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. Mother birds will feed the new chicks and their own, which sometimes means not every chick gets enough food. This is an example of

a. mutualism
b. commensalism
c. amensalism
d. parasitism

Answer 1

Cowbirds laying eggs in other birds' nests and having their chicks fed by the host mother is an example of parasitism, where the cowbird benefits and the host may suffer harm.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cowbirds exhibiting the behavior of laying their eggs in the nests of other bird species is an example of parasitism. This is because the cowbird benefits at the expense of the host bird, as the interloping cowbird chick competes for food with the host bird's own offspring, potentially causing harm if resources are limited. In contrast, mutualism would involve both species benefiting from the interaction, while commensalism would involve one species benefiting without affecting the other. Amensalism would mean one species is harmed while the other is not affected. However, in the case of cowbirds, the host bird's chicks can suffer reduced growth or survival as a result of the parasitic cowbird chick, clearly indicating a parasitic relationship.

Answer 2

Cowbirds laying eggs in the nests of other birds and benefiting at the expense of the host bird's offspring is an example of parasitism, which is a symbiotic relationship where one species is harmed. Therefore correct option is D

Step-by-step explanation:

Cowbirds employing the strategy of laying their eggs in the nests of other birds is an example of parasitism. In parasitism, one species, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the host. While mutualism and commensalism involve various types of interactions that may not harm one or both species involved, parasitism specifically has a negative impact on one of the parties. The host birds that inadvertently feed and raise the chicks of cowbirds expend energy and resources that would otherwise go to their own offspring, potentially reducing the survival rates of their chicks.