When a bird comes into land it lowers and spread outs its tail feathers. The feathers act as a brake and slow the bird's approach.
Flight puts many restrictions on a bird's shape.For this reason, birds that spend much time on flying have tails that are lightweight and streamlined. But other birds especially those that live on the ground or in woodland, have been able to evolve tails that are shaped for uses other than flight. Some of these are used for balance,some for perching and others attracting the attention of a mate.
Some example for tails used by various birds are like:
A tail for balance- The central feathers in a magpie's tail are nearly 26cm long. Long tails are normally used for display, but as both male and female magpie's have them, it more likely used for balance on the ground or when clambering on trees.
A magpie balancing on a wire.
A tail for Support- A woodpecker uses its tail to brace itself as it climbs the trunk of a tree. Woodpecker tail feathers are usually stiff so that the can support a large amount of bird's weight. Being subjected to rather rough treatment,the tips of the feather are rapidly wear down.
A woodpecker supporting on its tail.
A tail for display- The tail as in male Black Grouse has crescent-shaped tail feathers while the female has straight. Same in Peacock, the male Peacock has long and extravagant tail feathers rather in female. Differences like this are a sure sign that the tail has evolved this shape for display rather than for flight.
A male Peacock showing courtship.(Up) A male black grouse displaying its tail feathers.(Down)
Forked tails- In some birds, the central tail feathers are the longest. In others particularly many finches, the situation is reversed to give the tail a forked shape. This arrangement probably gives small bird more manoeuvrability.
A forked tail of a Yellow Finch
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Flight puts many restrictions on a bird's shape.For this reason, birds that spend much time on flying have tails that are lightweight and streamlined. But other birds especially those that live on the ground or in woodland, have been able to evolve tails that are shaped for uses other than flight. Some of these are used for balance,some for perching and others attracting the attention of a mate.
Some example for tails used by various birds are like:
A tail for balance- The central feathers in a magpie's tail are nearly 26cm long. Long tails are normally used for display, but as both male and female magpie's have them, it more likely used for balance on the ground or when clambering on trees.
A magpie balancing on a wire.
A tail for Support- A woodpecker uses its tail to brace itself as it climbs the trunk of a tree. Woodpecker tail feathers are usually stiff so that the can support a large amount of bird's weight. Being subjected to rather rough treatment,the tips of the feather are rapidly wear down.
A woodpecker supporting on its tail.
A tail for display- The tail as in male Black Grouse has crescent-shaped tail feathers while the female has straight. Same in Peacock, the male Peacock has long and extravagant tail feathers rather in female. Differences like this are a sure sign that the tail has evolved this shape for display rather than for flight.
A male Peacock showing courtship.(Up) A male black grouse displaying its tail feathers.(Down)
Forked tails- In some birds, the central tail feathers are the longest. In others particularly many finches, the situation is reversed to give the tail a forked shape. This arrangement probably gives small bird more manoeuvrability.
A forked tail of a Yellow Finch
T2UCQQB7AHXZ
1 comments to Tails of Birds.:
I really appreciate your professional approach. These are pieces of very useful information that will be of great use for me in future.
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