Manakins are a group of small passarine birds found across Central and South America. They are known for their often dramatic and noisy mating displays from males of the group, particularly movements of the wings. Wing snapping, when the male ‘claps’ the wings together behind him to produce a sharp noise, is observed in several…
Tag: birds
Birds and others use structural trickery to produce vibrant blue colours
Peacocks, kingfishers and bluebirds are among some of the most eye-catching of birds, and in many cultures are particularly admired for their rich blue colours. We have long known that red and orange birds take their colour from their food, extracting pigments in the plant and animal matter they consume. Flamingoes are possibly the best-known example,…
‘Sandwich’ microstructure of the toucan’s beak provides lightweight stiffness under pressure
Toucans are unusual among birds for the sheer size of their beaks. Most species fall into two groups, with either short, wide beaks or long, thin ones. Toucans, by contrast, have a long, wide bill which facilitates variety in feeding and makes up a third of their total body length. Although the beak appears cumbersome, it…
Scans show mummified Egyptian falcon’s last meal
Archaeologists are now using anatomical technology to look into Egypt’s past. Scanning techniques such as X-ray and CT allow researchers to examine mummified specimens without having to unwrap them, which can be destructive. And it’s not just human mummies which are the subject of interest – countless animals were often mummified and entombed alongside important…
Flamingo skull shows adaptations to life feeding upside down
The skull of the flamingo shows several fascinating adaptations for its use in feeding. Flamingos, of course, feed with their heads upside down in water, filtering it for small prey items. Accordingly they have some interesting structural features which differ from other birds – the lower bill is larger and stronger than the upper bill,…
Kiwi X-ray shows the huge size of her egg
Kiwis are strange birds in many ways, and not least for their short stubby wings and long, hair-like feathers. They are the smallest living ratites (flightless birds, including ostriches, emus and cassowaries), with the largest species reaching maximum heights of just 45 cm. Unlike flying birds, kiwis have relaxed constraints on their weight, and…
We’re gearing up for a new project here at RVC..!
Today we welcomed seven new pheasants to the lab for a project on bird biomechanics! Masters student Olivia Morris-Barry will be filming the birds and tracking their movement for her thesis project at the Royal Veterinary College. For more information on our work on birds, watch the video above!
Anatomy To You 