Question

as juveniles, all white - necked jacobin hummingbirds display vibrantly blue head plumage; when they enter adulthood, males retain these blue feathers, and most females molt to a drab green hue. however, 28% of adult female jacobins retain identical in coloration to juveniles and adult males. based on field observations in panama, a team of researchers reports that white - adult males show a clear preference in mate selection for adult females with drab green feathers; they also engage in more antagonistic behavior toward those adult females than toward blue - feathered adult females when competing for resources. therefore, the team hypothesizes that which choice most logically completes the text? a the percentage of blue - feathered females will increase until fewer than half of adult female jacobins are green - feathered b the occurrence of blue head plumage in adult female jacobins is driven by one or more factors not associated with mate attraction c coloration prevents green - feathered adult female jacobins from distinguishing between adult males and blue - feathered adult females d adult male jacobins do not act antagonistically toward juvenile jacobins with blue head plumage when competing for resources

Explanation:

The text discusses the plumage of jacobin hummingbirds. It mentions that adult female jacobins retain certain identical coloration to juveniles (28% of adult females). The context is about mate selection and behavior. Option C is logical as the coloration (green - feathered) could prevent confusion (distinguishing between adult males and blue - feathered adult females). Other options: A is incorrect as the text doesn't support the percentage being less than half; B is wrong as there's no indication of one or more factors driving the occurrence; D is incorrect as adult males are different (blue - head plumage when competing).

Answer:

C. coloration prevents green - feathered adult female jacobins from distinguishing between adult males and blue - feathered adult females.