A bird-watcher sees a small yellow bird in a tree. Explain to the bird-watcher how he can use a dichotomous key to identify the bird. Assume he does not know anything about dichotomous keys. Then, write two steps of a dichotomous key that would be helpful for the bird-watcher.

Question

To identify a small yellow bird:

Answer 1

A dichotomous key is a tool used by biologists to help identify organisms based on their characteristics. It consists of a series of questions or statements with two possible answers for each, leading the user to the correct identification of the organism.

To use a dichotomous key to identify the small yellow bird you saw in the tree, follow these steps:

Step 1: Is the bird primarily yellow with black markings on its wings?
- Yes: Proceed to Step 2.
- No: This key does not apply to the bird you saw.

Step 2: Does the bird have a thin, pointed beak for catching insects?
- Yes: The bird you saw is likely a warbler.
- No: The bird you saw may be a different species, and you may need to consult a different key for identification.