Has anyone here seen Planet Earth, the Jungle? They show the birds of paradise, and a few species, among them the six plumed bird of paradise, dance around with what looks like just one wing. One guy spreads his wing over his head, and dances around the female, while another bobbs up and down while he makes a kind of skirt of his wing.
But what I can't figure out is, how is the wing made up? I mean,are there actually two wings, with feathers interwoven to make it look like just one? Or does this type of bird just have one wing that wraps all the way around his body?
I can't figure this one out, and all my research has led me exactly nowhere. So if anyone has the answer to this question, or an illustration of the bone structure of the wing, please let me know! Thanks!
2007-04-18 18:08:28 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
All birds, flying and non-flying have 2 wings.
The males are characterized by an ornamental plumage consisting of six-wired head plumes with black oval-shaped tips, a neck collar of black, decomposed feathers which can be spread into a skirt-like shape, and bright or iridescent head and throat markings. During courtship, they perform hula-like dances on a patch of forest floor they have meticulously cleaned of dead leaves and other debris.
The wings are positioned to look as if they are one entity (just like our clasped hands). The wings colors and the iridiscence hides the contours of the wings, thus enabling to mirage the viewer.
http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/master.html?http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/editors_pick/1929_11-12_pick.html
2007-04-18 19:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by Tiger Tracks 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is an excellent example of Sexual Selection, the other great pillar of evolution (along with natural selection). In order to be selected by a female, the males of these species (along with peacocks etc) grow elaborate plumage, and do ridiculous dances, thereby increasing their chances of getting eaten by some predator. That elaborate plumage means that they cannot fly as well as the female, and they are dead easy to spot in the green of the jungle. All that, just for a quickie.
Sorry, I digress.
They have two wings, but all the documentaries want to show is the elaborate mating dance of the males. So it just looks like one wing. The Rifle bird is another example of two wings "combining" into one during the dance.
.
2007-04-18 22:59:55 · answer #2 · answered by Labsci 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bird is simply holding the wings close enough they look like one. The feathers are not interwoven.
2007-04-19 01:15:58 · answer #3 · answered by Jeff Sadler 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Last time I visited the jungle I'm sure I saw a Six plumed B.O.P and I'm sure he had 3 wings, no I'm certain he did! Sorry, Seriously, I cant help!
2007-04-18 22:32:45 · answer #4 · answered by Meg V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He has one wing..You should see him fly..he only flies in a circle.
2007-04-18 18:18:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
but what is the sound of one hand clapping?!
2007-04-18 19:08:00 · answer #6 · answered by dianneiyisan 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋