Veery Thrushes: Nature's Hurricane Forecasters Reading Answers

Feb 10, 2025

Veery Thrushes: Nature's Hurricane Forecasters Reading Answers is a generic topic for IELTS Reading Answers. Veery Thrushes: Nature's Hurricane Forecasters Reading Answers, in total, consist of 13 IELTS questions. In the given set of questions (Questions No. 14-20), the candidate has to answer the given statements in either TRUE/ FALSE OR NOT GIVEN options. And, on the remaining set of questions (Questions No. 21-26), you have to answer in one word only for each respective statement.

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Section 1 Veery Thrushes: Nature's Hurricane Forecasters Reading Answers

In the midst of summer, veery thrush birds have nearly completed their mating and hatching rituals across the northern U.S. and southern Canada. The imminent adventure for these brown-feathered, white-bellied birds involves their monumental journey as they migrate thousands of miles southward, crossing both the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea en route to South America. Weighing a mere 30 grams, the small songbird faces jeopardy during its journey, particularly when hurricanes intersect its migration route, potentially leading to casualties. Despite the ever-changing nature of each hurricane season, veeries have identified trends that have aligned with global climate cycles, granting them the ability to predict the intensity of the approaching season.

According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2018, the migratory behaviors of veery birds traveling from Delaware to South America have proven to be a consistent predictor of the Atlantic Basin hurricane season’s intensity. With heightened hurricane activity, the birds would finish their breeding season and depart for South America earlier, while in milder seasons, they extended their stay in eastern North America. Christopher Heckscher, an ecologist at Delaware State University and the study leader, suggested that if the birds could finish their breeding season early and migrate before the hurricane season, it makes sense that they would figure it out. After Heckscher’s study was published, the birds consistently demonstrated their ability to comprehend the situation. Although Heckscher mentions it’s quite early to ascertain the birds’ predictions for 2023, in three out of the last four Atlantic hurricane seasons, veeries have matched or even surpassed the accuracy of meteorological models. “These birds are taking a cue from somewhere, and it could be something we haven’t discovered yet,” Heckscher explains. Although he hasn’t searched for such patterns in other migratory species, he believes they must exist. Extensive research has been dedicated to examining bird migration at nesting sites, such as those bordering the Gulf of Mexico. “If we were to look for this predictive hurricane signal in that data, I think we would probably find it,” Heckscher adds.

Throughout his research, Heckscher and his team monitored bird movements from 1998 to 2016, and nearly every year, the behavior of veeries reliably signaled whether hurricane activity in the U.S. would be below or above average. The suggestion by Heckscher is that the birds acquire useful information from their wintering habitats in South America, where the weather patterns affecting hurricane seasons manifest long before the onset of a hurricane. The veeries’ ability to predict hurricane seasons may be connected to modifications in regular global cycles, including El Niño and La Niña events. In El Niño years, elevated Pacific Ocean temperatures give rise to winds that can more effectively eliminate hurricanes, resulting in below-average hurricane seasons. Conversely, in La Niña years, these seasonal changes bring about variations in rainfall within veery habitats, affecting the availability of fruit, which is one of their key diet elements. These fluctuations in rainfall, occurring at a distance of 5,000 miles, serve as a trustworthy anticipation of the hurricane season. Heckscher proposes that this change in diet could contribute to the birds being in better physical condition for the prolonged breeding season upon their return to North America. Conversely, insufficient fruit availability might lead them to curtail their breeding season to avoid a reduction in physical fitness. Heckscher mentions that something is occurring in their blood chemistry or hormones that cause them to stop breeding at a specific time.

Over thousands of years, birds like veeries have established migratory routes, adapting their movements in response to predictable shifts in the weather. The current concern is whether birds can adapt swiftly to the rapid pace of the evolving climate. Research has highlighted that climate change will increase the likelihood of hurricanes transforming from small to large storms, advancing more slowly across the ocean. Heckscher is alarmed that this reduced pace over the Gulf of Mexico could subject migrating birds, such as the veeries, to an extended period of susceptibility, potentially resulting in deviations or fatalities. Since 1966, every thrush population globally has declined by almost a third, primarily attributable to habitat-related declines. In South America, the habitat of veeries faces rapid destruction to make way for agriculture, directly eliminating crucial feeding grounds and contributing to regional biodiversity loss. On the northern front, habitat fragmentation exacerbates the situation, breaking continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, posing challenges for veeries in finding suitable breeding and feeding options. Collisions with buildings add another peril for veeries, as they face an increased risk of colliding with illuminated glassy, reflective windows at night during migration. This heightened risk places veeries on the brink of disappearance, potentially taking with them their beautiful, flute-like songs. Addressing these habitat-related issues through conservation efforts is imperative to ensure the long-term viability of veeries.

Section 2 Solutions and Explanations

Questions 14-20

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 2? In boxes 14-20 on your answer sheet, write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

14. Veeries can anticipate how fast the upcoming season is, despite the constantly shifting nature of hurricane seasons.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The passage mentions heroes predicting the intensity of storm season but does not mention their ability to predict the speed of the weather.

15. Monitoring veery birds’ migration from Delaware to South America may forecast the Atlantic Basin hurricane season’s strength.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “........According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports in 2018, the migratory behaviors of veery bird traveling from Delaware to South America have proven to be a consistent predictor of the Atlantic Basin hurricane season’s intensity.….........”

Keywords: Veery, Birds, Delaware, Basin

Keyword Location: para 2, Line 1-4

Explanation: The passage states that the migratory behaviors of veery bird traveling from Delaware to South America consistently predict the Atlantic Basin hurricane season’s intensity.

16. The accuracy of all four predictions for 2023 made by veeries outperformed meteorological models.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “........Although Heckscher mentions it’s quite early to ascertain the birds’ predictions for 2023, in three out of the last four Atlantic hurricane seasons, veeries have matched or even surpassed the accuracy of meteorological models. .…......”

Keywords: Heckscher, Predictions, Meteorological, Models

Keyword Location: para 2, Line 11-13

Explanation: The passage states that veeries matched or even surpassed the accuracy of meteorological models in three out of the last four hurricane seasons, not all four.

17. Today, there is a worry about how quickly birds can align themselves with the speed of climate change.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “........The current concern is whether birds can adapt swiftly to the rapid pace of the evolving climate…......”

Keywords: Concern, Birds, Climate, Rapid

Keyword Location: para 4, Line 2-4

Explanation: The passage expresses concern about how quickly birds, such as veeries, can adapt to the rapid pace of climate change, especially in regard to several hurricanes and other climatic changes.

18. The speed of hurricanes shifting from minor to major storms will increase as a consequence of climate change.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “........Research has highlighted that climate change will increase the likelihood of hurricanes transforming from small to large storms, advancing more slowly across the ocean…......”

Keywords: Hurricanes, Increase, Climate change

Keyword Location: para 4, Line 5-7

Explanation: The passage states that climate change will make hurricanes more likely to become major hurricanes and move slower rather than faster.

19. Habitat fragmentation was the leading factor contributing to challenges for veeries in locating appropriate areas on the northern front for breeding and feeding.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: “........On the northern front, habitat fragmentation exacerbates the situation, breaking continuous habitats into smaller, isolated patches, posing challenges for veeries in finding suitable breeding and feeding options.…......”

Keywords: Habitat, Breeding, Feeding, Areas

Keyword Location: para 4, Line 12-15

Explanation: Habitat fragmentation has been cited as a significant factor, making it difficult for animals to find suitable breeding and feeding areas.

20. Collisions with buildings result in the injury of one billion veeries each year.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: “........Collisions with buildings add another peril for veeries, as they face an increased risk of colliding with illuminated glassy, reflective windows at night during migration.…......”

Keywords: Collisions, Buildings, Veeries, Risk

Keyword Location: para 4, Line 15-17

Explanation: The passage mentions collisions with buildings as a threat, but does not specify the figure of one billion warriors injured annually.

Questions 21-26

Choose ONE WORD ONLY for each answer

RESEARCH ON VEERIES MIGRATION IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

From 1998 to 2016, Heckscher and his colleagues observed the behavior of veeries.
The birds' wintering grounds in South America experience early meteorological ____21_____ impacting hurricane seasons, enabling them to gather weather data.

Answer: Patterns

Supporting statement: “........The suggestion by Heckscher is that the birds acquire useful information from their wintering habitats in South America, where the weather patterns affecting hurricane seasons manifest long before the onset of a hurricane..…......”

Keywords: Wintering, South America, Hurricane

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 4-6

Explanation: The veeries can gather useful information from their wintering grounds in South America, where weather patterns affecting hurricane seasons manifest long before hurricanes occur.

_____22_____of the Earth's recurring patterns might contribute to the veeries' predictive capacities.

Answer: Cycles

Supporting statement: “........The veeries’ ability to predict hurricane seasons may be connected to modifications in regular global cycles, including El Niño and La Niña events.…......”

Keywords: Cycles, El Niño Hurricane,

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 6-8

Explanation: Global cycles, such as El Niño and La Niña, influence weather patterns, which help veeries predict hurricane activity. This fits the context of their ability to forecast hurricane intensity.

La Niña influences veery habitats through ____23_____ fluctuations, impacting fruit availability

Answer: Rainfall

Supporting statement: “........Conversely, in La Niña years, these seasonal changes bring about variations in rainfall within veery habitats, affecting the availability of fruit, which is one of their key diet elements.…......”

Keywords: Rainfall, Habitats, Fruit, Availability

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 10-12

Explanation: La Niña causes changes in rainfall patterns, which directly impact the availability of fruit, a key element in the veeries’ diet.

A crucial component in veeries' _____24______.

Answer: Diet

Keywords: Diet, Key, Elements, Variations

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 10-12

Explanation: The passage indicates that fruit availability is a key part of veeries' diet, impacting their breeding cycle and migration behavior, which is crucial for their survival.

Dietary changes enhance the birds' ____25____ fitness for an extended breeding season during their return.

Answer: Physical

Supporting statement: “........Heckscher proposes that this change in diet could contribute to the birds being in better physical condition for the prolonged breeding season upon their return to North America..…......”

Keywords: Diet, Changes, Breeding, Return

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 14-16

Explanation: Changes in diet are associated with improvements in physical fitness, helping birds endure longer breeding seasons. The paragraph indicates that a better diet can help maintain physical condition.

Conversely, the reduced physical conditions caused by a scarcity of ______26______ shorten their breeding season.

Answer: Fruit

Supporting statement: “........Conversely, insufficient fruit availability might lead them to curtail their breeding season to avoid a reduction in physical fitness……......”

Keywords: Physical, Reduction, Avoid, Scarcity

Keyword Location: para 3, Line 16-18

Explanation: The scarcity of fruit impacts veeries' physical condition, which in turn shortens their breeding season to avoid a reduction in fitness.

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