Laboratory Exercises in Animal Behavior - Interspecific Flocking in Birds - Worksheet

Worksheet

1. In predator-prey relationships, which organisms are the hunted and which are the hunters?

The prey are hunted and the predators are the hunters.

2. How does Project FeederWatch study birds and what do "FeederWatchers" study?

FeederWatchers use bird feeders and they examine bird behavior.

3. What types of birds do sunflower feeders attract?

Chickadees and nuthatches.

4. As you read in the Introduction, some species of birds pick on other species (seniors picking on freshman scenario). What does this mean for the dominant species? What might happen to the gene pool of the "picked-on" species?

1) The dominant species will have greater access to food and shelter and will be more likely to survive and reproduce.

2) The "picked-on" species might be selected to become more aggressive, or to avoid the species that picks on it, or to be "sneaky" in using food sources. In subsequent generations, the genes associated with these behavioral characteristics would increase in the gene pool of the "picked-on" species.

5. Create your own definition of "Dominance Hierarchy."

The definition should have something to do with competitive or aggressive relationships among organisms (either individuals of a single species, or different species) that affect their ability to acquire resources.

6. State your hypothesis and its prediction to be tested.

7. Describe the materials you will be using.

8. Design your study step by step. This will become the methods section of your lab report.