Researchers studying hummingbird foraging measured both nectar rewards and the fit between flower corolla length and hummingbird bill length across several plant species. Corolla-bill fit strongly predicted which species the birds visited: in paired trials, birds of a short-billed species repeatedly visited compatible flowers with relatively dilute nectar even when richer nectar was available in longer-corolla flowers they could not probe efficiently. Nectar sugar concentration still affected how long the birds stayed once they arrived.
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hardWhich statement about hummingbird preferences is most strongly supported by the text?
A
Hummingbirds’ preferences are primarily driven by trait-matching between their bills and flower corollas, though nectar qualities are a secondary factor driving their preferences.
B
A floral trait found to influence which plant species hummingbirds prefer may result in certain hummingbird species visiting flowers with relatively low nectar rewards over those with higher nectar rewards.
C
Physical compatibility between flower corollas and hummingbird bills becomes an important factor that influences hummingbird preferences when hummingbirds are uncertain about which plants produce high-reward nectar.
D
Hummingbirds consistently prefer plant species whose flowers have physical traits that are compatible with their bills but offer relatively low nectar rewards.