Pigeons' wings sound the alarm

bbc. ^ | 2 September 2009 | Victoria Gill

[JoeProBono]

Startled pigeons might not appear to epitomise the wonder of evolution, but a study has discovered that the birds can communicate with their wings.

When a crested pigeon is startled into flight its wings produce a whistling sound which serves as an alarm call.

The pigeons have "modified wings" that produce the whistle as they fly, but only this sudden take-off creates the alarm that causes other birds to flee.

The team report their findings in the Royal Society journal Proceedings B.

[JoeProBono]

[LiteKeeper]

Maybe they were designed that way?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I kept pigeons when I was a kid. Anybody who ever kept pigeons knows this.

If you ever walk through the middle of a flock of pigeons in the park, clap your hands together real loud a couple of times.

The whole flock will leap into the air.

[Dutchboy88]

Well, the evolutionists say that randomly a whistling device popped up on the wings of some new born pigeons. You’ve had children born with whistles on their arms, haven’t you? It’s just like that for the birds. The whistler versions got away better when a predator came hunting, but the rest got eaten for dinner. So, the next generation all had whistles. The end.

[LiteKeeper]

Nice bedtime story.

[KarlInOhio]

Play a recording of the panic whistle constantly. It will either drive them away or drive them crazy.

[Blood of Tyrants]

They warn me to cover my head.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I have a diesel engine with a turbocharger that whistles when the turbo spins. Newer models don’t have the whistler. I think it evolved that way. Probably to prevent enemies from hearing you coming, no doubt.

[Dutchboy88]

Yeah, you have the idea. Some randomly whistle, others randomly sing “I’ve got friends in low places”, yet others can yodel. The whistlers were more adaptive and by next model year, every diesel will whistle. You get an A in science.

[ErnBatavia]

Doves too....we have tons of 'em in and around our desert back yard. They're goosey and the herd will beat wings away at the drop of a pin.

But once in awhile we hear a much more vigorous flapping as they leave -- sure enough, it always signals a hawk coming in for lunch.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Doves too....we have tons of 'em in and around our desert back yard.

Do you have any Inca doves there?

We had them in our back yard when we lived in Houston, along with Mourning doves.

I loved those little critters. They made the coolest sound.

[ErnBatavia]

Do you have any Inca doves there?

If those are those little fellas that are exact replicas, only a third of the size, yes! Not so common....I've known 'em as "Mexican Doves".

[Daffynition]

[JoeProBono]

[E. Pluribus Unum]

If those are those little fellas that are exact replicas, only a third of the size, yes! Not so common....I've known 'em as "Mexican Doves".

Yep, that's probably them. I don't believe there is any other dove that size in North America.

They're good eatin', too. (joke)

Say "hi" to the next one you see for me! ;^D

[Daffynition]

[JoeProBono]

[Daffynition]

[JoeProBono]

[Daffynition]