When he arrived at the Galápagos Islands, Darwin did not observe the amazing tool-using "woodpecker finch" that can modify twigs to pry out grubs. Because there are no true woodpeckers on the Galápagos Islands, this behavior allows this finch to exploit an untapped food source. However, not all members of this species exhibit this behavior, which is probably learned from watching other finches. Therefore,
A) young isolated at hatching will not know how to do this.
B) it is probably not "hardwired" in the brain as a behavior passed on genetically.
C) there must be a great advantage to reaching this food source for this learned behavior to be repeated by most descendants of each generation.
D) as an acquired characteristic, in a strict sense this is not part of the adaptive radiation of finches on the Galápagos.
E) All of the choices are correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statements collectively suggest that the tool-using behavior of the woodpecker finch is learned rather than innate, implying that isolated young won't develop this skill without observation (A), it's not genetically hardwired (B), its repeated use indicates a significant advantage (C), and as a learned behavior, it doesn't fit the strict definition of adaptive radiation which is based on genetic changes (D).

When He Arrived at the Galápagos Islands, Darwin Did Not