View Full Version : Off-Duty Great Blue Heron
Fabs Forns
02-12-2009, 12:31 PM
I though this was peculiar. I've seen Woodstorks do it, but never a Great Blue. Notice his/her lores, full breeding, so why is it taking a break?
Axel Hildebrandt
02-13-2009, 06:54 PM
I've never seen this behavior, either. Let's see if someone knows a good explanation.
John Chardine
02-15-2009, 06:31 PM
Nice Fabs. This is actually a good illustration of what constitutes the feet of most species of birds. The bird is actually standing flat on its feet. The L-shaped joints are the ankles, then the long top part of the feet- the tarsometatarsus- are followed finally by the toes. The tarsometatarsus is made up of a fusion of some ankle bones and some metatarsal (foot) bones and becomes the lower part of the leg in most birds.
So most birds walk on their tip-toes, but some such as penguins are "plantigrade" and walk on their flat feet like we do.
Fabs Forns
02-15-2009, 08:54 PM
Thanks, John, great explanation!!!
Paul Lagasi
02-15-2009, 11:11 PM
...thanks John..didn't know that..good one
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