When the team returned to Daphne Major, they found only one in seven finches survived the drought. When they measured the survivors, they found that they were the most finches with big beaks. Why do you think bigger beaked birds survive better than the smaller beaked birds?
There are a few possible reasons why bigger-beaked birds may have a higher survival rate than smaller-beaked birds during a drought:
1. Food availability: During a drought, the availability of food becomes limited. Larger beaked birds have an advantage as they can efficiently crack open and consume a wider range of seeds, nuts, or fruits. This gives them a better chance of finding food compared to smaller-beaked birds, who may struggle to access and consume enough sustenance.
2. Competition for resources: As food becomes scarce, there is increased competition among finches for limited resources. Bigger beaks could give certain individuals a competitive advantage, enabling them to outcompete smaller-beaked birds for food resources. This advantage in resource competition might increase the chances of survival for the bigger-beaked birds.
3. Climate adaptation: Finches with larger beaks may have evolved over generations to be more suited to drier conditions. It's possible that the traits associated with larger beaks provide some advantage in coping with drought-related challenges, such as efficiently extracting moisture from seeds or accessing hidden water sources. This adaptation could have led to a higher survival rate for birds with bigger beaks.
It's important to note that the above reasons are speculative and would require further research and analysis to confirm.