Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Sound From Bird Wings Act As a Predator Alarm

Posted by samzenpus on from the that-noise-means-something-terrible-for-you dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Biologists have discovered that a species of Australian pigeon has a secret way of alerting fellow birds to predators — a 'whistle' emitted by flapping wings when the bird takes off in alarm. The crested pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes) is well known for the abrupt metallic-sounding whistle that it makes on takeoff. Many birds have the ability to make vocal cries to alert other members of their flock, but this is the first study to show that flight noise can also serve as an alarm call."

6 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Shame they're so paranoid by QuantumG · · Score: 2, Funny

    I walk near birds minding my own business, they fly off and make racket doing so.. only once or twice have I yelled "WHAT!?" at them.. but people look at me funny.

    --
    How we know is more important than what we know.
    1. Re:Shame they're so paranoid by lastgoodnickname · · Score: 5, Funny

      french birds run away sooner?

    2. Re:Shame they're so paranoid by skoaldipper · · Score: 2, Funny

      Who modded you offtopic?

      Squab is a pigeon dish best served cold on a plate with chicken liver, fava beans, and a tall glass of chianti. ffft! ffft! ffft!

      --
      I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
  2. Really? by acehole · · Score: 5, Funny

    I would have thought the 3 laser dots on your chest or the bodies hung upside down in trees would have been pretty good signs of a predator.

    --
    Be you Admins? nay, we are but lusers!
  3. In other news by Korbeau · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sound Act As a Predator Alarm.

    News for ornithologists (and creepy old dudes with lens) - stuff that flies!

  4. Re:Mourning doves too... by BrokenHalo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Do mourning doves' wings whistle dirges?