What does sexual dimorphism in raptors mean?

• A. Color difference between sexes
• B. Feather pattern differences between sexes
• C. Size difference between sexes
• D. No difference between sexes

Answer: (C)

Sexual dimorphism means that males and females of the same species look different in observable ways beyond their reproductive organs. In raptors, the most common difference is size: females are generally larger than males. This size difference often leads to different hunting roles and prey choices, helping reduce competition between the sexes because each sex tends to target different prey sizes. In some species there can also be color or plumage differences, but the defining feature here is the size difference between the sexes.