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Question 20

If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?
1. Painted Stork
2. Common Myna
3. Black-necked Crane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

AOptions

A) 1 and 2

B) 2 only

C) 2 and 3

D) 3 only

BSolution

Let's analyze the feeding behavior of each bird in relation to cattle:

1. Painted Stork: Painted Storks are large wading birds typically found in wetlands, feeding primarily on fish, frogs, and other aquatic life. They forage by probing in shallow waters with their long bills and are not generally seen stalking alongside cattle for insects in grasslands.

2. Common Myna: Common Mynas are highly adaptable and often found in open grasslands, cultivated fields, and human habitations. They are opportunistic feeders, and it is a very common sight to see them walking alongside grazing cattle or other livestock to catch insects (like grasshoppers, beetles, grubs) that are disturbed or flushed out by the movement of the animals. This is a classic example of commensalism.

3. Black-necked Crane: The Black-necked Crane is a large, high-altitude crane species primarily found in the wetlands and alpine meadows of the Tibetan Plateau and parts of the Himalayas. Their diet includes roots, tubers, insects, and small vertebrates, but their habitat and specific foraging behavior do not typically involve stalking cattle in countryside grasslands.

Based on their typical habitats and feeding behaviors, the Common Myna is the most suitable bird for the described phenomenon.

CStrategy

For questions involving animal behavior or ecological interactions, rely on common observational knowledge and the typical habitats/diets of the species mentioned. Eliminate options that clearly do not fit the described scenario.

DSyllabus Analysis

This question falls under Environment & Ecology, specifically animal behavior, ecological interactions (commensalism), and common bird species/habitats in India.

EQuestion Analysis

Medium. While the Common Myna's behavior is widely observed, knowing the specific ecological niches of Painted Stork and Black-necked Crane is crucial to correctly eliminate them.