Question

Mating pairs of two different species of parrots sometimes lay their eggs in the same nest. When this happens, only one mating pair ends up parenting the chicks even though chicks of both species may be present. The chicks in such mixed nesting groups displayed some interesting behaviors summarized in the table. Classify these behaviors as innate or learned, and explain how they compare.

a. An alarm call is an innate behavior and a contact call is a learned behavior. Innate behavior comes out automatically in response to a stimulus whereas learned behavior develops over time after observing other birds carrying out the behavior.
b. The alarm call is a learned behavior and contact call is an innate behavior. Learned behavior develops over time after observing birds carrying out the behavior whereas innate behavior comes out automatically in response to a certain stimulus.
c. The alarm call is an innate behavior and contact call is a learned behavior. Innate behavior develops over time in response to stimulus after continuous exposure. Learned behavior develops over time after observing other birds carrying out their behavior.
d. The alarm call is a learned behavior and contact call is an innate behavior. Learned behavior comes out automatically whereas innate behavior develops over time in response to stimulus after continuous exposure.

Answer 1

The question involves differentiating between innate behaviors, such as a bird's alarm call that occurs automatically in response to a threat, and learned behaviors, such as a contact call that birds learn through social interaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question centers around understanding the distinction between innate and learned behaviors in birds, particularly parrots. Innate behaviors are those that occur naturally and automatically in response to specific stimuli. They do not require learning or practice, and often serve key survival functions. For instance, the innate alarm call that is emitted when a bird senses danger is an example of such an unlearned behavior. Conversely, learned behaviors develop through interaction with the environment or by observing and mimicking others. A contact call in parrots, which may vary among different groups or individuals and requires learning and social interaction to perfect, exemplifies a learned behavior.

It's essential to understand this distinction as it highlights the different ways in which animals respond to their environment—some of which are hardwired, while others are flexible and can change with experience. This knowledge also enriches our understanding of animal behavior and the evolutionary strategies different species use for survival and communication.