- Joined
- Apr 30, 2005
- Messages
- 34,289
Looks like they've figured out the combination of positions that best-preserves the body heat of 4 chicks in a nest.
Now I'm wondering whether they rotate positions to take turns in that warmest position, center bottom.
Some migrating birds fly in a V formation to conserve energy.
The leader flys in relatively still air.
But each follower positions itself in the wake the bird it is behind, because the air behind each bird is already moving in the direction of travel.
They rotate positions to share the burden of being in front.
They're probably liberals, less selfish to benefit the group, ya know.
Serious bicyclists also tailgate to enjoy an effective tailwind.
It's also how "hyper-milers" use less gas by tailgating a large truck; they're driving in a large volume of air that's still moving close to the speed of traffic.
The scientist in me ponders how one would test for this chick warmth-rotating theory ...
I'd buy four different colors, then put one colored dot on the upper mandible of each beak.
Then I'd set up my camera/tripod to automatically take one pic every hour for several days.
Then I'd analyze the data, publish my revolutionary ornithological findings, and travel to Sweden for my Nobel Prize.
I know, I know, I'm terrible!
Delusions of grandeur. 
Now I'm wondering whether they rotate positions to take turns in that warmest position, center bottom.
Some migrating birds fly in a V formation to conserve energy.
The leader flys in relatively still air.
But each follower positions itself in the wake the bird it is behind, because the air behind each bird is already moving in the direction of travel.
They rotate positions to share the burden of being in front.
They're probably liberals, less selfish to benefit the group, ya know.
Serious bicyclists also tailgate to enjoy an effective tailwind.
It's also how "hyper-milers" use less gas by tailgating a large truck; they're driving in a large volume of air that's still moving close to the speed of traffic.
The scientist in me ponders how one would test for this chick warmth-rotating theory ...
I'd buy four different colors, then put one colored dot on the upper mandible of each beak.
Then I'd set up my camera/tripod to automatically take one pic every hour for several days.
Then I'd analyze the data, publish my revolutionary ornithological findings, and travel to Sweden for my Nobel Prize.
I know, I know, I'm terrible!
Delusions of grandeur.
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