Human settlement of previously uninhabited areas tends to endanger species of wildlife. However, the Mississippi kit...

Victoria on May 1, 2021

Hi @Guile,

Happy to help!

We learn that human settlement in previously uninhabited areas tends to endanger wildlife. However, the Mississippi kite flourishes in areas where people have settled, and its population has risen more rapidly in towns than in rural areas.

We are looking for the answer choice which provides an explanation for why Mississippi kites, unlike other wildlife species, flourish in areas of human settlement.

Answer choice (A) is incorrect because it suggests that the Mississippi kites would prefer unsettled areas where they are not actively antagonized by firecrackers.

Answer choice (B) is tempting, but it does not provide an explanation as to why the Mississippi kite would flourish in towns. It just suggests that humans and birds would be able to co-exist better than in larger towns where there are more humans.

Answer choice (C) is incorrect because it does not explain why Mississippi kites flourish in towns, specifically. It simply suggests that Mississippi kites would not be negatively impacted by hunting, providing us with no explanation as to their choice of habitat.

Answer choice (D) is incorrect because it is irrelevant. It does not matter what pigeons and raccoons do; we are looking for an explanation that is specific to the Mississippi kite.

Finally, answer choice (E) is correct because it explains why Mississippi kites thrive in towns. There are denser patches of trees in towns than on the prairie. These dense patches of trees protect Mississippi kites' nests and eggs, providing them with a greater chance of survival and likely leading to an increase in population when compared to prairie populations.

Hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any further questions.