Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: neilep on 15/08/2007 20:17:24
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Dear Bird and Rain Experts ( Bird bRAINs ?)
This is a Swallow:
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Nice isn't it ? Notice how non-rained-upon but grumpy he looks !
...that's probably because he's not looking forward to the prospect of flying through this:
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What I would like to know is:
Can he safely fly through this rain ?....would he normally fly above the clouds ?....If birds have trouble flying through rain then a storm while migrating across oceans must be very perilous yes ?...especially if they're not swimming birds.
How do birds cope with the rain when in flight ?
...and what about their sight ?...does it not get in their eyes?
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I just noticed this topic, Neil.
Seeing as nobody else has contributed i will attempt an answer. Birds can and do fly in the rain, their feathers are oily which repels water. Also, their bones are hollow, so they can afford to get a little wet and this will not add too much to their weight.
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I've been watching the swallows at the stable yard and they most certainly do fly in heavy rain.
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I just noticed this topic, Neil.
Seeing as nobody else has contributed i will attempt an answer. Birds can and do fly in the rain, their feathers are oily which repels water. Also, their bones are hollow, so they can afford to get a little wet and this will not add too much to their weight.
I thank you for noticing this topic !...at last !! [;)]
So, saving getting struck by lightning or getting caught in a rather heavy hail storm, I can safely tick this off my list of things to worry about at night !..Good !!..only 7564 items to go !
THANKS PAUL....I appreciate your answer....can I just add a quicky..?..ooh !!..does the cavernous-echo-chamber nature of a Swallows bones replicate itself amongst all birds ?...even Ostriches ?...
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I've been watching the swallows at the stable yard and they most certainly do fly in heavy rain.
My gratitude is fervently sent your way in a happy abundance of luff and joy !
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does the cavernous-echo-chamber nature of a Swallows bones replicate itself amongst all birds ?...even Ostriches ?...
ermmm, i don't know that one. i just remember the inital answer from school. we were more interested in girls and catching things from toilet seats to worry about ostriches.
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does the cavernous-echo-chamber nature of a Swallows bones replicate itself amongst all birds ?...even Ostriches ?...
ermmm, i don't know that one. i just remember the inital answer from school. we were more interested in girls and catching things from toilet seats to worry about ostriches.
That's ok...hopefully a bird bone eggspert will perch on the post and answer....I may start a new thread about it !
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i think its wonderful how this topic has spanned the years :) if any of you were still wondering, though some flightless birds such as penguins and ostriches have solid bones, most birds do have very light, hollow bones.
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i think its wonderful how this topic has spanned the years :) if any of you were still wondering, though some flightless birds such as penguins and ostriches have solid bones, most birds do have very light, hollow bones.
..and I think it's wonderful that you have kindly answered the final question for which I am eternally grateful with a gratifying air of curiosity satiated !
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....to think...I've been sitting here all these years tapping my fingers ( on my now very warn out desk) keeping an eye on this topic every single minute of every day since....THANK YOU !
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You stupid boy! (in Capt Mainwaring fashion) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9t_KDGqOmE)
Have you never heard of the umbrella bird (http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=4522)