Song Sparrows and Cowbird Parasitism

What is the main focus of the study on Mandarte Island?

• Migration patterns

• Song sparrow population

• Climate change

• Plant diversity

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-2

Why is the song sparrow population on Mandarte Island considered unique?

• It is a large population

• It is isolated and has little migration

• It is genetically diverse

• It is declining rapidly.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

What are species called that rely on hosts to raise their offspring?

• Predators

• Brood parasites

• Scavengers

• Migrants

Why might rearing a cowbird chick be costly for the host bird?

• Cowbird chicks are larger

• Cowbird chicks require special food

• Cowbird chicks outcompete the host’s offspring

• Cowbird chicks are aggressive.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Fill in the blank: Researchers have been able to map the ________ for all birds on Mandarte Island.

• A) Migration routes

• B) Family tree

• C) Nest locations

• D) Feeding habits

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

Fill in the blank: Every bird on Mandarte Island is individually marked with ________.

• Feathers

• Leg bands

• Tags

• Colors

What is the purpose of blood samples collected from song sparrows?

• To study diet

• To analyze genetics

• To measure health

• To track migration

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Fill in the blank: Cowbirds are known as ________ because they lay their eggs in the nests of other species.

• Hosts

• Brood parasites

• Predators

• Scavengers

Which of the following is an abiotic factor affecting the nesting success of song sparrows?

• A) Breeding density

• B) Female age

• C) Total rainfall during the nesting period

• D) Lay date.

Fill in the blank: The ________ is a biotic factor that affects the nesting success of song sparrows.

• Lay date

• Breeding density

• Minimum temperature

• Female age

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5