Question

If an egg rolls out of the nest, a mother greylag goose will retrieve it by nudging it with her beak and head. If researchers remove the egg or substitute a ball during this process, the goose continues to bob her beak and head while she moves back to the nest. Explain how and why this behavior occurs.

Short answer

This is an example of a fixed action pattern. In most cases, the sign stimulation from an item outside the nest triggers rolling and nudging. The activity is then carried out to completion.

The behavior enhances the chances of having healthy offspring to ensure that the eggs should be kept in the nest.

Step-by-step solution

Parental care in birds

Birds create nests to safeguard their eggs from predators and inclement weather.When a bird hatches, one of the parents looks after the young until they are ready to fly. This activity is known as parental care.

Parents are responsible for nurturing, nourishing, and protecting their children from the harsh environment.

Behavior

All animal behavior is driven by physiological mechanisms and processes, whether solitary or gregarious, fixed or flexible.When the neurological system controls muscular activity, it is referred to as individual behavior.

Behavior is required for nutrition, locating a partner, and maintaining homeostasis.

Fixed action pattern

Fixed action patterns are a set of activities as they are triggered by a cue, also known as a key stimulus.An established action pattern is more complicated than a reflex, yet it is still automatic and involuntary.

As observed in the mother graylag, the task is completed once triggered, even if the primary stimulus is withdrawn in the interim.