Ornithology B/C

[duckiegirl2]

I found these in a google search: "Not all species of birds have bristle feathers. Bristles are specialized feathers that are believed to perform a tactile function." and
"Bristles are usually found on the head or neck, often around the mouth or eyelids. In some insect eaters, bristles found on the face and around the mouth are thought by ornithologists to act as funnels, helping the birds to scoop insects out of the air. Long facial bristles in owls, who tend to be farsighted, are thought to aid the bird in sensing nearby objects. Woodpeckers have bristle feathers over their nostrils, where it is thought that they act as a filter for the dust produced as they drill holes in trees. "
Also "Bristle feathers have a stiff rachis with only a few barbs at the base. They are usually found on the head (around the eyelids, nares, and mouth). They are thought to have both a sensory and protective function."

[amerikestrel]

I found these in a google search: "Not all species of birds have bristle feathers. Bristles are specialized feathers that are believed to perform a tactile function." and
"Bristles are usually found on the head or neck, often around the mouth or eyelids. In some insect eaters, bristles found on the face and around the mouth are thought by ornithologists to act as funnels, helping the birds to scoop insects out of the air. Long facial bristles in owls, who tend to be farsighted, are thought to aid the bird in sensing nearby objects. Woodpeckers have bristle feathers over their nostrils, where it is thought that they act as a filter for the dust produced as they drill holes in trees. "
Also "Bristle feathers have a stiff rachis with only a few barbs at the base. They are usually found on the head (around the eyelids, nares, and mouth). They are thought to have both a sensory and protective function."

The best answer to this question that I could infer is that nothing is known for sure, and everyone has a different opinion. It seems like every website and book I look at says things like "Scientists think..." and "Bristles may..."

However, here is a list of the different purposes of bristles. Most of these have not been scientifically proven.

• Protection from struggling insects
• Protection from dust and chips of wood (for woodpeckers)
• Protection from bee stingers (bee eating birds)
• A net to catch insects
• A funnel to aid in catching insects
• As sensory feathers (similar to cat whiskers)

Hope this helped! If anyone has anymore items to add, tell me and I'll add them.

[sewforlife]

I have a feeling that the information is saying that some birds use it for this, and other for that. so bristles could have multiple uses

[amerikestrel]

I have a feeling that the information is saying that some birds use it for this, and other for that. so bristles could have multiple uses

That's true, bristles do have multiple uses. Birds such as a woodpecker use them as protection from dust, while other birds may use them as sensory feathers. That's what I'm showing with my list.

The problem, at least in my mind, is that this is all just speculated. The fact that bristles can be used to trap insects is mainly an inference from the fact that many insect eating birds have bristles. Hardly anything is known for sure, even by the professional ornithologists that are studying this topic.

[sewforlife]

The problem, at least in my mind, is that this is all just speculated. The fact that bristles can be used to trap insects is mainly an inference from the fact that many insect eating birds have bristles. Hardly anything is known for sure, even by the professional ornithologists that are studying this topic.

I kind of agree with this. This is a good point. Unless we can see something, a picture or video of a bird using the bristles to catch insects, then we shouldn't assume too much. Especially when some of the only facts they have are that the birds that use it to catch prey eat insects and are aerial foragers.

[duckiegirl2]

The problem, at least in my mind, is that this is all just speculated. The fact that bristles can be used to trap insects is mainly an inference from the fact that many insect eating birds have bristles. Hardly anything is known for sure, even by the professional ornithologists that are studying this topic.

I kind of agree with this. This is a good point. Unless we can see something, a picture or video of a bird using the bristles to catch insects, then we shouldn't assume too much. Especially when some of the only facts they have are that the birds that use it to catch prey eat insects and are aerial foragers.

If scientists are saying these things about useing bristles, they are probably right. They wouldn't just say these things without proof of it happening. I have actually seen a video of the bristles being used, I will try to find it again later and post it.

[sewforlife]

assuming something without proof/not showing any proof, leads me to infer that they might have added two and two together. (birds catch insects on the go, have bristles=use bristles to catch insects.

[xxwintercandyxx]

can we write on the tabs that we use to tab the study guide??

[amerikestrel]

can we write on the tabs that we use to tab the study guide??

The word for word response I got to my rules clarification as to whether we can write on the tabs of the guide was, "Yes, but there will not be a lot of room to write on them, tabs are small,
not post it size."

There you go. If you have a question, try reading (or at least skimming) through this forum.

[xxwintercandyxx]

thank you