Question

Ava observes that a certain species of bird follows behind a herd of cattle. The bird species primarily eats insects. The birds stay with the herd of cattle as they graze. What is a scientific hypothesis that Ava could formulate based on her observations?

Answer 1

There are insects associated with the cattle herd that serve as food for Ava.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most logical hypothesis to deduce from the observation would be that the cattle herd has a kind of association with insects that happen to serve as food for the birds.

Usually, the body of cattle is plagued with different species of parasitic insects which obtain their foods and shelters from the animal. These parasitic insects will definitely be a food source for insect-predating birds. Hence, it follows logically that the Ava birds lurk behind the herd of cattle scouting for insects on the body of the cattle.