Some birds follow moving swarms of army ants in the tropics. As the ants march along the forest floor hunting insects and small vertebrates, birds follow and pick off any insects or small vertebrates that fly or jump out of the way of the ants. What is the specific benefit relationship?
A) Birds benefit from the association and harm the ants.
B) Birds and ants benefit from the association.
C) Birds do not benefit from the association, but the ants do.
D) Birds benefit from the association, but have no impact on the ants.
E) Neither birds nor ants benefit from the association.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Birds benefit by getting an easy meal from the insects and small vertebrates that are flushed out by the moving ants, but this behavior does not negatively impact the ants, thus the ants are neither harmed nor benefited directly by the birds' actions.

Some Birds Follow Moving Swarms of Army Ants in the Tropics