The Process of Natural Selection: Red vs Blue Feathered Birds

What is the process illustrated by the interaction between red-feathered and blue-feathered birds in the same environment?

A. Migration

B. Camouflage

C. Natural selection

Answer: Natural selection

Natural selection is the process in which the well-suited organism is selected by nature to survive environmental conditions while less suited organisms become extinct. In this scenario, red-feathered birds demonstrate better survival and reproduction rates compared to blue-feathered birds due to their adaptation to the environment. As a result, the population of red-feathered birds will increase over future generations, showcasing the principles of natural selection.

Natural selection can be further exemplified by Darwin's finches and the evolution of the peppered moth in England. Over time, traits that offer better survival and reproduction capacity become more common in a species, emphasizing the power of natural selection in shaping biodiversity.

For instance, Darwin's finches showed different beak sizes correlating with the type of food available on their respective islands. Finches with beaks best suited to cracking open larger seeds survived and passed on this trait, leading to the adaptation of beak sizes based on food sources. Similarly, the peppered moth in England experienced a shift in population due to natural selection during the Industrial Revolution, favoring darker moths that were better camouflaged against polluted trees.