Iltures are birds of prey that feed on the flesh of dead animals. female vulture lays only one to two fertilised eggs, which are then protected hoth narents during incubation. Incubation is the period from the time an is laid up to the time it hatches. Vultures have a short incubation period of to 45 days. This short incubation period is typical of birds displaying tricial development. After hatching, the parents feed the young chicks as ten as 20 times a day. Give ONE reason from the passage why vultures: (a) Are considered as oviparous (b) Have a high survival rate even though few eggs are laid Fertilisation in vultures takes place internally. State TWO advantages of internal fertilisation. State TWO characteristics of chicks that display altricial development. Explain why birds with altricial development would have short incubation periods. .4

Let's break down the questions step by step based on the information provided in the passage. ### (a) Reason why vultures are considered oviparous: Vultures are considered oviparous because they lay eggs (fertilized eggs) as part of their reproductive process. The passage states that female vultures lay one to two fertilized eggs, which indicates that they reproduce by laying eggs rather than giving birth to live young. ### (b) Reason why vultures have a high survival rate even though few eggs are laid: Vultures have a high survival rate despite laying few eggs because both parents protect and incubate the eggs, ensuring a higher chance of survival for the chicks. The passage mentions that the eggs are protected by both parents during incubation, which contributes to the survival of the young. ### Advantages of internal fertilization: 1. **Protection of Gametes**: Internal fertilization protects the sperm and egg from environmental hazards, increasing the likelihood of successful fertilization. 2. **Increased Chance of Successful Development**: It allows for a controlled environment for the developing embryo, which can lead to higher survival rates of the offspring. ### Characteristics of chicks that display altricial development: 1. **Helpless at Birth**: Altricial chicks are born in a helpless state, often with closed eyes and little to no feathers. 2. **Dependence on Parents**: They require significant parental care and feeding after hatching, as they are not capable of self-sustenance immediately. ### Explanation for short incubation periods in birds with altricial development: Birds with altricial development have short incubation periods because they produce young that are less developed at hatching. This allows the parents to quickly return to foraging and feeding, as the chicks will require extensive care and feeding after hatching. The shorter incubation period enables the parents to maximize their reproductive output in a shorter time frame, which is beneficial in environments where food availability may fluctuate. This structured approach provides clear answers to each part of the question based on the information given in the passage.