White-breasted nuthatches and Downy woodpeckers both eat insects that hide in the furrows of bark in hardwood trees.The Downy woodpecker searches for insects by hunting from the bottom of the tree trunk toward the top,whereas the white-breasted nuthatch searches from the top of the trunk down.These hunting behaviors best illustrate which of the following ecological concepts?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The difference in hunting behaviors between the white-breasted nuthatch and Downy woodpecker allows them to partition the resource of insect prey in the bark of hardwood trees, avoiding competition with one another. This best illustrates the ecological concept of resource partitioning.

White-Breasted Nuthatches and Downy Woodpeckers Both Eat Insects That Hide