Birding/Wild bird question

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Expert: - 3/6/2005


Question
Hi, I have an odd question. I heard once that there is a species of bird,(the name I can't remember) who, if placed in an enclosure with 4 walls but no roof, will die due to it's inability to look up. I made a bet with someone at work and now I'm confused. And it's eating me up. If you have ever heard of such a species could you tell me what it is please. Thank you.

Answer
Well, you may lose the bet here if you were the one that bet there is such a bird. I have never heard of such a bird. Frankly, it is not logical that a bird will die simply because it can't look up. Actually, I can't even think of a bird that would be unable to look up under such a circumstance. But, you know, I do vaguely recall hearing something like this a long while back, but I'm confident that it is a myth. Roger Lederer. For more information on wild birds, see www.ornithology.com

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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