Slow Motion Raptor Strikes - Smarter Every Day 38

TL;DR

Birds have the ability to control their entire wing, including each individual feather, which allows them to make precise aerodynamic adjustments mid-flight.

Transcript

Raptor training? That sounds interesting. Hey it's me Destin. I'm at Auburn University today at the South eastern Raptor Centre with Andrew, and Andrew's a pretty unique guy. What do you do, Andrew? -I get to work with birds every day. Every single day. So today we have a red tailed hawk, and, what's his name? -Petey Alright, Petey is going to hit ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😘 Birds can control their entire wing, including each individual feather, allowing them to make precise aerodynamic adjustments.
• 🙂 Birds have tetrachromatic vision, perceiving a wider range of colors than humans, and potentially ultraviolet light.
• ☠️ A bird's high flicker fusion rate enables them to detect fast movements and make quick adjustments while flying.
• 🚄 The use of high-speed video helps simulate the bird's flicker fusion rate and offers a unique perspective of the world through their eyes.
• 😃 Leather hoods are used to shield birds' eyes from excessive visual stimulation.
• 👨‍🔬 The Southeastern Raptor Centre at Auburn University provides educational experiences and research opportunities to better understand raptors and their behaviors.
• 🖐️ Birds' feet, particularly the hallux, play a crucial role in capturing and killing prey.

Questions & Answers

Q: How are birds able to control their entire wing individually?

Birds have the ability to control their entire wing because each individual feather can move independently. This allows them to make precise adjustments mid-flight, much like an airplane's control surfaces.

Q: What is the purpose of the leather hood that the bird wears over its eyes?

The leather hood is worn by the bird, such as Nadira in the video, to shield its eyes from excessive visual stimulation. Birds have tetrachromatic vision and a higher flicker fusion rate, so the hood helps prevent irritation.

Q: Why do birds have specialized vision as tetrachromats?

Birds are tetrachromats, which means they have additional color receptors in their eyes, allowing them to perceive a wider range of colors and potentially even ultraviolet light. This adaptation helps them navigate their vibrant and colorful environments.

Q: How does a bird's high flicker fusion rate affect their ability to see while flying?

Birds have a higher flicker fusion rate, especially when combined with ultraviolet light, allowing them to perceive more details and make instantaneous adjustments while flying. This is important for their survival and navigating through various obstacles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In this video, Destin visits Auburn University's Southeastern Raptor Centre to learn about how birds control their wings.

• Using high-speed video, they capture a red-tailed hawk named Petey attempting to hit a target, showcasing the bird's ability to control its wing feathers individually.

• Birds have specialized vision as tetrachromats and a high flicker fusion rate, allowing them to process color information and make aerodynamic corrections on the fly.