Question

What does the willowbird do to increase its chances of successful reproduction?

A. The bird will pollinate the plant as it feeds on the berries.
B. The seeds fall to the ground or pass through the bird’s feces.
C. The plant attracts the bird to an area where there are no seeds.
D. The bird provides the energy the plant needs for reproduction.

Answer 1

The willowbird increases its chances of successful reproduction by both aiding in seed dispersal when it excretes ingested seeds far from the parent plant, and through pollination, as birds like the hummingbird transfer pollen between flowers while foraging for nectar. Therefore, the correct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

The willowbird increases its chances of successful reproduction by helping in seed dispersal. When the bird eats a berry, it inadvertently consumes seeds within the fruit. These seeds can then be excreted a considerable distance away after the bird has flown miles from the original plant. The excretion of seeds helps in spreading the plant's seeds to new locations, thus aiding the plant in reproducing and colonizing new areas.

Besides, birds such as hummingbirds and sunbirds also play a vital role in pollination. They have adaptations that enable them to extract nectar from flowers, during which they get coated with pollen. This pollen is then transferred to the next flower they visit, assisting in the plant's reproductive cycle. Plants have adapted to produce colorful and nectar-rich flowers to attract such birds, thus facilitating their own reproduction through pollination.