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
In: 1836
Birds and most of all other animals smaller than us, percieve time at a much slower rate than us. Their reaction time, reflexes, movement speed, and ability to process things is usually much better than ours.
In terms of overall movement, it’s because birds perceive the world at twice the frequency mammals do. A particularly good example is with vision. Humans see video up to 60fps, or 60hz. Birds can do so at 120hz. That means birds see any video – like on a TV – as a series of still images. And with smaller birds, their lighter bodies allow them to move much faster and more adroitly than mammals of the same size who don’t have hollow bones and are physically heavier.
Take any video of normal people doing things like gymnastics and sports. Play it back at twice normal speed. Looks bird-like, doesn’t it?
In terms of overall movement, it’s because birds perceive the world at twice the frequency mammals do. A particularly good example is with vision. Humans see video up to 60fps, or 60hz. Birds can do so at 120hz. That means birds see any video – like on a TV – as a series of still images. And with smaller birds, their lighter bodies allow them to move much faster and more adroitly than mammals of the same size who don’t have hollow bones and are physically heavier.
Take any video of normal people doing things like gymnastics and sports. Play it back at twice normal speed. Looks bird-like, doesn’t it?
In terms of overall movement, it’s because birds perceive the world at twice the frequency mammals do. A particularly good example is with vision. Humans see video up to 60fps, or 60hz. Birds can do so at 120hz. That means birds see any video – like on a TV – as a series of still images. And with smaller birds, their lighter bodies allow them to move much faster and more adroitly than mammals of the same size who don’t have hollow bones and are physically heavier.
Take any video of normal people doing things like gymnastics and sports. Play it back at twice normal speed. Looks bird-like, doesn’t it?
Where are the answers that address the twitchy movements? All the top answers are about bird eyes, which doesn’t explain the twitchy quality of the movement. Sure, they need to move their heads around a lot to see, doesn’t mean they couldn’t theoretically move their heads in a smooth way.
Now, I’ve heard it’s because bird muscles have more “white meat” and that type of muscle is for fast bursts of movement. Whereas us mammals have more red meat, which is a type of muscle that does more continuous movement. But you know, I’m not an expert on this, so…
Where are the answers that address the twitchy movements? All the top answers are about bird eyes, which doesn’t explain the twitchy quality of the movement. Sure, they need to move their heads around a lot to see, doesn’t mean they couldn’t theoretically move their heads in a smooth way.
Now, I’ve heard it’s because bird muscles have more “white meat” and that type of muscle is for fast bursts of movement. Whereas us mammals have more red meat, which is a type of muscle that does more continuous movement. But you know, I’m not an expert on this, so…
Where are the answers that address the twitchy movements? All the top answers are about bird eyes, which doesn’t explain the twitchy quality of the movement. Sure, they need to move their heads around a lot to see, doesn’t mean they couldn’t theoretically move their heads in a smooth way.
Now, I’ve heard it’s because bird muscles have more “white meat” and that type of muscle is for fast bursts of movement. Whereas us mammals have more red meat, which is a type of muscle that does more continuous movement. But you know, I’m not an expert on this, so…
Maybe not what you mean but I think their leg tendons go all the way up to their heads, which is why pigeons and chickens for example strut when they walk. I think this is to keep their heads and eyes relatively smooth while the rest of their body jerks about
Maybe not what you mean but I think their leg tendons go all the way up to their heads, which is why pigeons and chickens for example strut when they walk. I think this is to keep their heads and eyes relatively smooth while the rest of their body jerks about
Maybe not what you mean but I think their leg tendons go all the way up to their heads, which is why pigeons and chickens for example strut when they walk. I think this is to keep their heads and eyes relatively smooth while the rest of their body jerks about
Latest Answers