Sorry for so many questions, not even really expecting an answer, but I wonder why only the Quaker, Senegal , RFM and male Princess parrots have it? It's just fascinating to me!
Wow! I have both a quaker and a senegal -- Im going to check this out! Thanks @Mizzely and @CrazyBirdChick for bringing this to our attention!
Awww, such a cute pic!You can see them on Jingo here a bit. The ruffle/wavy feathers are the ones with the notching. So 2 have it really pronounced View attachment 314016
So cool! I've never heard of thoseThanks for finding that, Shawna! I haven't had time to look. But, a few weeks ago I was looking up the alula as it's really pronounced on my conure :
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Are these it?
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Heres my chicken butts:
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Cool! So the Senegal's first 3 have them and the Quaker's 6th and maybe 5th's has it?Parrot Wizard photo, you can kinda see them I think!
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But don't all birds share a common ancestor, despite where the modern species may live in the planet?Hmmm... maybe this is a case of convergent evolution? It's when nature develops a similar trait in animals that live far apart. Each species needed the extra maneuverability for something.
I also think it's interesting when you see an evolutionary trait that is going extinct, but you still see remnants of it in the animal.
But don't all birds share a common ancestor, despite where the modern species may live in the planet?
It's basically nature's way of filling a niche. Animals that live in similar environments often have similar evolutionary "solutions" to survival (like fins and wings).But don't all birds share a common ancestor, despite where the modern species may live in the planet?
Thank you!I love learning new birdie info!The "Guide to the Quaker Parrot" by Mattie Sue Athan says, "ornithologists call this unusual feather shape 'notching' or 'emargination'. These feathers facilitate slow flight, maneuverability, hovering, and backward flight." Other species that have this feature are senegal parrots, red fronted macaws, and male princess parrots.