Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | T | The Wilson Journal of Ornithology

An overlooked cost for the velvety plumage of owls: entanglement in adhesive vegetation.

Publication: The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Publication Date: 01-JUN-09 		Format: Online
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Full Article Title: An overlooked cost for the velvety plumage of owls: entanglement in adhesive vegetation.(SHORT COMMUNICATIONS)(Report)

Article Excerpt
Owls have evolved adaptations to hunt in poor light conditions, including frontally located and disproportionately large eyes or, in some species, an asymmetrical placement of the ear openings for improved hearing (del Hoyo et al. 1999). Owls also have feathers with traits which have been considered as adaptations for silent flight. The main structural feather adaptations of owls are: (1) elongated barbs on the leading edge at the outer primaries, (2) a trailing edge on the flight feathers, and (3) modified distal barbules on the dorsal surface of feathers (del Hoyo et al. 1999). The last trait makes velvety plumage easily perceived by the unaided human eye (Mikkola 1983). This plumage is also exhibited by other nocturnal or crepuscular birds, including nightjars (Order Caprimulgiformes), Bat Hawk (Macheiramphus alcinus) (J. J. Negro, pers. obs.), and Elanus kites (Negro et al. 2006). Silent flight permits owls to go undetected by their prey, and improves their ability to detect noises (Taylor 1994,...

View this article FREE - Now for a Limited Time, try Goliath Business News
Free for 3 Days!



More articles from The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Flyaway: How a Wild Bird Rehabber Sought Adventure and Found Her Wings..., June 01, 2009
Integration of Ecology and Endocrinology in Avian Reproduction: A New ..., June 01, 2009
Tawny Frogmouth.(Book review), June 01, 2009
How and Why Species Multiply: The Radiation of Darwin's Finches.(Book ..., June 01, 2009
Contributions to the History Of Australasian Ornithology.(Book review), June 01, 2009

Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.

Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication name or publication date.

About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company analysis or best practices in managing your organization, Goliath can help you meet your business needs.

Our extensive business information databases empower business professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible, authoritative information they need to support their business goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting, company research or defining management best practices - Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.