You discover a rare new bird species, but you are unable to observe its mating behavior. You see that the male is large and ornamental compared with the female. On this basis, you can probably conclude that the species is
A) polygamous.
B) monogamous.
C) polyandrous.
D) promiscuous.
E) agonistic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the male is large and ornamental compared to the female suggests that he may be using his physical traits to attract multiple mates (polygamy). In monogamous bird species, males and females tend to look more similar in appearance, while in polyandrous species, the female typically has multiple male partners. Promiscuous and agonistic behavior does not necessarily correlate with differences in appearance between male and female birds.

You Discover a Rare New Bird Species, but You Are