tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post6669655577613365637..comments2024-03-29T01:41:15.713+00:00Comments on Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park birds: Ralph Hancockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-28942776135032038192015-08-20T19:32:03.127+01:002015-08-20T19:32:03.127+01:00I wonder what the predators of Black Swans are -- ...I wonder what the predators of Black Swans are -- alligators? You would think that if the swans needed to make a hasty escape, having both feet in the water would be a good idea.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-29852165607358990692015-08-20T08:18:37.597+01:002015-08-20T08:18:37.597+01:00There could even be a third reason:
"The Aus...There could even be a third reason:<br /><br />"The Australian black swan has been noted to only swim with one leg, the other being tucked above it's tail. This helps the swan to change direction more smoothly when the swan is swimming on the surface of the water, should the swan spot food or even an oncoming predator."Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09683657915069578017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-71482291396634935582015-08-20T08:15:43.709+01:002015-08-20T08:15:43.709+01:00PS from the RSPB site:
"Swans will often s...PS from the RSPB site: <br /><br />"Swans will often stretch one of their legs whilst swimming and instead of putting it in the water, they will tuck it up onto their back. <br /><br />It has been suggested that this behaviour may play a role in helping to regulate the body temperature of the bird. The legs and feet are the only part of the swan not covered in feathers so the blood vessels are in closer contact with the air. The large surface area of the webbed foot makes it easier for heat to be transferred from the body to the air, cooling the swan. This heat exchange could also work the other way, with the feet absorbing heat from the air to warm the bird."<br /><br />Both explanations could be correct of course! Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09683657915069578017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-24969046475091727062015-08-19T22:41:50.557+01:002015-08-19T22:41:50.557+01:00Yes, a labour saving device makes sense. They do ...Yes, a labour saving device makes sense. They do look very appealing when they are doing it! Thank you.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09683657915069578017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-22348049479538875812015-08-19T20:49:43.244+01:002015-08-19T20:49:43.244+01:00Both young and adult swans often swim with one leg...Both young and adult swans often swim with one leg while the other is tucked up. So do grebes. The reason that you notice this with cygnets is that they have little undeveloped wings which don't hide their legs. The reason, surely, must be the simple one that when they aren't in a hurry there's no point in using two legs when one will do.Ralph Hancockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11686354797977020917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278510471239667560.post-55942396923392058622015-08-19T14:16:33.861+01:002015-08-19T14:16:33.861+01:00Good afternoon Ralph. I wondered why cygnets some...Good afternoon Ralph. I wondered why cygnets sometimes swim with one leg stuck out at the back or tucked up on their back or under a wing, out of the water. Suggestions include temperature regulation (both heating up and cooling down, but not sure how that would work), and doing the Hokey Cokey (I am not sure that last one was entirely serious). Do you know please?Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09683657915069578017noreply@blogger.com