Prelims 2014 · Environment · Question 80
If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects disturbed by their movement through grasses. Which one of the following is/are such bird/birds? 1. Painted Stork 2. Common Myna 3. Black-necked Crane. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer
2 only
1. Painted Stork — Incorrect. Painted stork is a large wading bird that mainly feeds in shallow water by sweeping its bill; it is not known for regularly following cattle in grasslands for disturbed insects.
2. Common Myna — Correct. Common myna often forages near grazing cattle and picks insects disturbed by their movement; this is a familiar countryside association.
3. Black-necked Crane — Incorrect. Black-necked crane is a high-altitude wetland bird of the Tibetan Plateau/Himalayan region, not a typical cattle-following insect catcher in countryside grasslands.
Hence, only 2 is correct.