I tested with three lens. Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR which acted as a kit lens. Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR was that tele lens. I also tested Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D lens because it is a very sharp and cheap lens.
Tests were made using self timer and manual exposure with Nikon D200. Camera was standing on a tripod. Shutter time was 1/200s and the two remote triggered flashes were adjusted without any fine tuning to full (f11), 1/2 (f8) or 1/4 (f5.6) power. Test images were cropped from dead center, but from my experience those distant objects are most often cropped to dead center.
Aperture f5.6
Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, 105mm
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR, 200mm
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D, 50mm
As you can see, there is no debate on a winner when aperture is f5.6. Nikon 55-200mm beats both wider lenses. 50mm prime lens result was worse than I would have quessed.
Aperture f8
Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, 105mm
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR, 200mm
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D, 50mm
When using f8 aperture the kit lens 18-105mm gets much better than with f5.6 aperture. Tele lens 55-200mm is sharper than with f5.6 aperture, but the difference isn't distinguishable. Lens is unbelievable sharp even wide open.
Aperture f11
Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, 105mm
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR, 200mm
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D, 50mm
Not much difference here. 18-105mm lens gets better when stopping down, but doesn't catch 55-200mm lens.
Conclusion
Results are what I expected. Tele lens is the best lens from these three lenses for getting those little birds from your backyard to a memory card. Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D prime is just too short for competing in here equally.
Suprise for me is the Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens. When stopping down aperture f8 to f11, it's quality is quite enough for basic needs like 15x10cm prints. Sadly that slow lens performs badly when wide open. When it is compared to Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G VR lens. Long zoom range lens doesn't replace small tele, but if the need is only very random you maybe can live without it by cropping the image.
