Unusual Bird Parenting
Birds have a reputation as excellent parents. They expend a great deal of effort in building nests in which to lay their eggs. They patiently incubate the eggs, keeping them warm and safe until they hatch. Birds also bring food to their newly hatched offspring until the baby birds are independent. However, some unusual birds, known as brood parasites, don’t provide any parental care for their young. Perhaps the most famous brood parasite is the cuckoo. Instead of building a nest, the cuckoo lays her eggs in the nest of another species with similar-looking eggs. The female cuckoo simply removes an egg laid by the host female, lays her own egg, and then leaves, expecting the host bird to care for the imposter.
What is the main idea of the passage?
Unlike most species of birds, brood parasites such as the cuckoo don’t build nests.
Most birds build nests for their young, incubate the eggs, and are generally devoted parents.
Unlike most species of birds, brood parasites such as the cuckoo don’t provide any parental care.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is: Unlike most species of birds, brood parasites such as the cuckoo don’t provide any parental care.
Explanation:
The main idea of the passage revolves around the concept of “brood parasitism,” where certain bird species, such as the cuckoo, do not engage in typical parental behaviors like building nests, incubating eggs, or feeding their young. Instead, the cuckoo and similar species exhibit a strategy where they lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving the host bird to care for the cuckoo’s egg. The passage contrasts this behavior with the usual nurturing behaviors of most birds, who invest considerable time and energy in raising their own offspring.
The first option, which states that brood parasites don’t build nests, while accurate in describing the behavior of cuckoos, doesn’t fully capture the central message. The key point is not merely about nest-building but about the lack of parental care provided by brood parasites.
The second option, which describes how most birds build nests and incubate their eggs, is true but only gives part of the broader context. It highlights the general behavior of birds but doesn’t address the contrast with brood parasites.
Therefore, the third option is the most comprehensive and directly addresses the heart of the passage—brood parasites like cuckoos don’t provide parental care and instead rely on other birds to raise their young. This behavior sets them apart from the majority of bird species that are actively involved in nurturing their offspring.