lanarkshire lad Posted March 6, 2009 Report Posted March 6, 2009 What is the purpose of a pigeons wattle?
Dave barrie Posted March 6, 2009 Report Posted March 6, 2009 i would say for courtship/ ritual, biggar the better for to attract the hen i suppose, cant see any other reason for it, just a thought :-/
john nico Posted March 6, 2009 Report Posted March 6, 2009 and possibley for dominaire in the loft like the male dears they say the ones with the bigest atlases are more agresive
Ronnie Posted March 20, 2009 Report Posted March 20, 2009 Read an interesting article somewhere.sugeesting that the wattle contains elements of metal(not sure what metal is said) and it was to help in the navigation when the birds need to use the polar effects of the earth to determine where they are. Not sure if its true but its a nice idea if nothing else.The article also stated other birds that contain it for migrating purposes not sure where i readitnowthough:(
Guest IB Posted March 20, 2009 Report Posted March 20, 2009 Agree in certain birds where the wattle is coloured, will figure in sexual display, but wouldn't think so in pigeons, it's too plain for that I think. It's just a soft protective covering of the nasal / sinus passages. Must admit to being puzzled why it is soft, cos protection must be limited? Metal mentioned in last post is magnatite (spelling). It is found in the sheath of the birds triginomial nerve (spelling) and is thought to be associated with homing ability. I think the nerve is in the beak / head area, but I'm really not sure, nor have I ever seen what the nerve is connected to, or what it actually does.
Merlin Posted March 20, 2009 Report Posted March 20, 2009 Its it me,or do to days birds have less wattle than birds of yesteryear,or maybe its they are not around long enough,to compare.
pjc Posted March 20, 2009 Report Posted March 20, 2009 Its it me,or do to days birds have less wattle than birds of yesteryear,or maybe its they are not around long enough,to compare. You don't seem to see as many heavy wattled pigeons these days but i think thats just down to modern day family's although you still see good tusks on many a good stock hen!
PATTY BHOY Posted March 20, 2009 Report Posted March 20, 2009 My own theory is that the wattle is fleshy and soft to protect the nostrils. Humans' noses are soft with the hardest part being cartilage. If it were bone or a hard substance and were to break it would do a greater damage to the external openings of ours and the pigeon's respitory system - just a thought. Now do you think that a pigeon's wattle could be pierced for a nose ring??? Just kidding, folks... please do not do this!
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