Who don't they get tired?
- Thread starter Peepers
- Start date
The simple answer is because their physiology is different.....we humans too often have a hard time understanding things we don't normally do...that's akin to asking your bird "why do humans abuse their bodies with toxic substances?" You're likely to get much the same answer...not one!
We must be bored this morning.....
We must be bored this morning.....
It's just the way different animals evolve. Humans are heavy boned, fatty and muscular, and our digestive systems work differently processing larger amounts of food more slowly, so when we're on our feet we carry a lot more weight for our body size than a bird. It doesn't matter for us because our bodies are designed to support the way we live and, being ground dwelling, there are better ways for us to rest and recharge than standing. A typical bird's skeleton has evolved to carry the weight in an upright position because it allows the safety of roosting high up in branches and protects its plumage from damage. From a bird's point of view, standing is how you do things, and it's this weird, unnatural slouching about everywhere that mammals do that looks pretty unpleasant!
MrsKay
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lmao :32:
Dinosrawr
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- Aug 15, 2013
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Certain birds also have particular muscles and tendons in their legs specifically for perching. It "locks" into position, and this is generally why they don't fall off a perch in their sleep and why they can stay that way for so long without being bothered. You'll never see a duck in a tree or a parrot swimming in water, and that all comes down to how their legs and feet developed. Here's an image courtesy of my ornithology textbook:
It shows you what a perching bird's leg muscles and tendons look like while they're in position. It's as comfortable for them to sit that way as it's as comfortable for us to let our arms hang downwards.
It shows you what a perching bird's leg muscles and tendons look like while they're in position. It's as comfortable for them to sit that way as it's as comfortable for us to let our arms hang downwards.
- Dec 18, 2013
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- Maya (Female Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Jolly (Male Solomon Island eclectus parrot), Bixby (Male, red-sided eclectus. RIP), Suzie (Male cockatiel. RIP)
Certain birds also have particular muscles and tendons in their legs specifically for perching. It "locks" into position, and this is generally why they don't fall off a perch in their sleep and why they can stay that way for so long without being bothered. You'll never see a duck in a tree or a parrot swimming in water, and that all comes down to how their legs and feet developed. Here's an image courtesy of my ornithology textbook:
It shows you what a perching bird's leg muscles and tendons look like while they're in position. It's as comfortable for them to sit that way as it's as comfortable for us to let our arms hang downwards.
Check out the big brain on Chantal!
Nice! And though I knew the answer in general terms, the diagram you supplied made the specifics much clearer. Much appreciated.
henpecked
Active member
Thank you the info, however here in Florida we have several species of ducks that do roost/climb/perch in trees and even power lines. Goggle "tree ducks".
thekarens
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- Sep 29, 2013
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Black bellied whistling duck. Cracks me up when I see them lined up on a roof or fence line.
Then there's wood duck, but I don't see them very often.
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Dinosrawr
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- Avery, a GCC born on March 5th, 2013 & Shiko, a blue IRN born on February 25th, 2014
Ah. I only know of birds in Canada, and I can't say we have any that I personally know of that perch in trees. I suppose to reference I was trying to make towards is the different in foot adaptations, but those guys make excellent examples of that!
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