Compared to mammals, birds seem to have this jerky, almost robotic quality to the way they move. I was wondering if there’s any explanation for this
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A lot has to do with size, predatory hierarchy. small mammals are also very twitchy. if you watch a mouse or a chipmunk you see them constantly looking around, and when they move they dart from one spot to the next then pause and look around. if you look at the larger, less predated birds they have less twitchy movements, not to say they never have fast movements but less. you can watch Eagles and Owls perched slowly surveying the area.
most birds are on the smaller side of the scale meaning a lot of animals can prey on them so they have to be very alert for danger. the less that can kill you the less you have to be afraid of and the less likely you are to prepare to flee at every slight sound you hear.
A lot has to do with size, predatory hierarchy. small mammals are also very twitchy. if you watch a mouse or a chipmunk you see them constantly looking around, and when they move they dart from one spot to the next then pause and look around. if you look at the larger, less predated birds they have less twitchy movements, not to say they never have fast movements but less. you can watch Eagles and Owls perched slowly surveying the area.
most birds are on the smaller side of the scale meaning a lot of animals can prey on them so they have to be very alert for danger. the less that can kill you the less you have to be afraid of and the less likely you are to prepare to flee at every slight sound you hear.
Thanks for all the great answers! The eye thing
Didn’t occur to me, but that does make sense
Thanks for all the great answers! The eye thing
Didn’t occur to me, but that does make sense
Thanks for all the great answers! The eye thing
Didn’t occur to me, but that does make sense
I’ve read that animals react faster relative to their metabolism. Smaller animals with faster metabolisms usually have much faster natural movements. Mammals as well. See squirrels.
Edit: Here is the article. What I wrote is probably wrong above.
[here](https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/166694-small-animals-see-the-world-in-slow-motion-or-why-your-puppy-is-so-hyperactive#:~:text=New%20research%20indicates%20that%20smaller,be%20moving%20in%20slow%20motion.)
I’ve read that animals react faster relative to their metabolism. Smaller animals with faster metabolisms usually have much faster natural movements. Mammals as well. See squirrels.
Edit: Here is the article. What I wrote is probably wrong above.
[here](https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/166694-small-animals-see-the-world-in-slow-motion-or-why-your-puppy-is-so-hyperactive#:~:text=New%20research%20indicates%20that%20smaller,be%20moving%20in%20slow%20motion.)
I’ve read that animals react faster relative to their metabolism. Smaller animals with faster metabolisms usually have much faster natural movements. Mammals as well. See squirrels.
Edit: Here is the article. What I wrote is probably wrong above.
[here](https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/166694-small-animals-see-the-world-in-slow-motion-or-why-your-puppy-is-so-hyperactive#:~:text=New%20research%20indicates%20that%20smaller,be%20moving%20in%20slow%20motion.)
Muscle fibers come in three main types. It basically comes down to slow and fast twitch. Slow twitch gives more power and longer duration, fast twitch gives just that, fast contraction but tire quickly. Birds typically have more of the twitch type that cause the quick jerky movements.
Muscle fibers come in three main types. It basically comes down to slow and fast twitch. Slow twitch gives more power and longer duration, fast twitch gives just that, fast contraction but tire quickly. Birds typically have more of the twitch type that cause the quick jerky movements.
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