Among social birds, like the Florida scrub jay, Why male helpers are more than female in there nest?
Among social birds, like the Florida scrub jay, Why male helpers are more than female in there nest?
The correct option is D Males need to wait for a territory to become available elsewhere
Florida scrub jays belong to the group of cooperative breeding birds of North America. Cooperative breeding refers to a condition where when more than two birds of the same species provide care in rearing the young from one nest. The Florida Scrub-jays being cooperative breeders, they reside in permanent, group-defended territories and groups consist of a permanently bonded monogamous pair and one to six helpers. It has been seen that the males remain in this subsidiary role for up to six years while the females generally disperse and pair after one or two years of helping. Further, Florida Scrub-Jays are largely restricted to the scattered and much-reduced oak scrub habitat, making reproductive success outside of oak scrub very poor. Moreover, all available habitat is occupied, which means young birds are unlikely to find vacant space to set up territories of their own.
Florida scrub jays belong to the group of cooperative breeding birds of North America. Cooperative breeding refers to a condition where when more than two birds of the same species provide care in rearing the young from one nest. The Florida Scrub-jays being cooperative breeders, they reside in permanent, group-defended territories and groups consist of a permanently bonded monogamous pair and one to six helpers. It has been seen that the males remain in this subsidiary role for up to six years while the females generally disperse and pair after one or two years of helping. Further, Florida Scrub-Jays are largely restricted to the scattered and much-reduced oak scrub habitat, making reproductive success outside of oak scrub very poor. Moreover, all available habitat is occupied, which means young birds are unlikely to find vacant space to set up territories of their own.
