Question

Which one of the following is a "brood parasite"?

• A. {Pigeon}
• B. {Sparrow}
• C. {Goose}
• D. {Cuckoo}

Hint:

When identifying brood parasites, look for species that lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and leave the responsibility of raising their young to the host species.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

A brood parasite is an organism that exploits the parental care of another species. The Cuckoo is the most famous example of a brood parasite. It lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, and the unsuspecting host parents then raise the cuckoo chick as their own. This behavior allows the cuckoo to save energy and resources that would otherwise be spent on raising its own offspring.
Brood parasitism is observed in several species, but the cuckoo is the most iconic, as it is known for its sophisticated methods of parasitizing a wide range of bird species. The host birds often do not recognize the foreign eggs, and once the cuckoo chick hatches, it may even push the host’s eggs out of the nest to monopolize the food and care provided by the host.