The Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma Coerulescens) Is a Species in Which

Multiple Choice

The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is a species in which nonbreeding birds (most often offspring of the breeding pair from a previous year) remain on the territory of the breeding pair and help raise their own siblings. Is there evidence that helpers remain and help because they are physiologically incapable of breeding themselves?

A) No; helpers, in fact, have higher levels of circulating testosterone and estradiol than the breeders.
B) No; the testes and ovaries of helpers are functional, at least for hormone production.
C) Yes; the testes and ovaries of helpers are, for all practical, nonfunctional.
D) Yes; while the testes and ovaries are physiologically intact, the hormone production is greatly reduced.