Posted by David Sewell on July 12, 2009 at 2:57 PM
I am posting this shot more out of curiosity than anything else. I was photographing black-tailed godwits at Oare Marshes, one of my local spots, yesterday, in quite a high wind. The wind would blow the birds all over the place, this bird being a case in point. Despite being blown about they persisted in roosting on one leg, when two would have left them far more stable. Does anyone know why they roost on one leg?
David
Nikon D200, 600mm + 1.4 extender, 1/640th @f5.6, 250 iso
Tired feet I guess. As they rarely (if ever) squat down except when nesting, they must get tired legs & feet - same as horse & cattle lift a leg to rest it.
Makes for a comical shot when you know the story behind it.
Keith is about there on this one.. Arteries supplying blood to the legs also act as insulators by warming the blood in the veins before returning to the heart. An anomaly apparent in a number of animals. By standing on one leg they are reducing the amount of heat loss through the legs to 'half' and saving valuable energy.
Discussion
6 repliesDavid
Nikon D200, 600mm + 1.4 extender, 1/640th @f5.6, 250 iso
Makes for a comical shot when you know the story behind it.
I was told years ago by a very good naturalist friend of mine that standing in cold water best to keep one foot warm.
Nice capture.
Good story..
Brett
Nice shot too btw David.
Fran
Ta