Interesting article about birds ultra violet vision - they see more than we do.
http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Birds/Archives/2012/Bird-Vision.aspx
| Term and Conditions | Privacy Statement | Web Support by Gaia Resources Hosted by Serversaurus |  |
It's always been a fascination for me too WD, amazing that they can use this UV ability for so many different things. You may have already seen it, but David Attenboroughs "Life of Birds" set is worth a look for anyone. In particular, there is a wonderful section on disc three, episode 9 "The Problems of Parenthood" which give an astounding look into how some use UV vision to feed their young - or how their young are equipped with UV "bits" so the parent can aim for their mouths better in the dark etc. Gouldian Finch chicks were one with vividly coloured spots on the side of their mouths, and I think Firetail Finch chicks go one better with big goggle-like (I think they called them) protuberances on the sides of their mouths. Anyway, I may have the species wrong, but definitely worth a look, and was great to see more than one Aussie bird featured throughout the series too.
Makes you re-think how they see us humans too hey!
From a birding point of view, found this very interesting discussion on BIBY a while ago, hope you don't mind me popping it here too - certainly happy to delete it if you prefer
Around post #6, Sparrow has brilliant info as far as UV enhancers in washing powder. Well, I found it interesting anyway, not something I would have even thought of!
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/forum/Surveys-and-interesting-sightings/Guillie-suit
West Coast Tasmania
You can buy cheap black lights from eBay and the like which can be used to check your birding clothes to see if they have UV enhancers in the fabric ,and just a note on washing powders and liquids once you wash your clothes with one that contains UV " brighteners " its permanent and no amount of washing will remove it from the fabric ,better to test the clothes before you buy them and then only wash them in pure soap ,bow hunters and duck hunters have been doing this for years.
Thanks AnnieJ, Im bit of a newbie to birding so will have to track down the Life of Birds sounds like a fascinating series. I wasn't aware of the UW sight of birds until I saw the article I referred to - but going over old ground for others.
Thanks for the tip sparrow about the UV brighteners in the washing powder.
I certainly can't claim anything long term in birding either WD, bit of a newbie myself compared to most
. Posts can get buried quickly in here and new aspects of previous discoveries are always being found, so it's always great to have refreshers and new info I think. Yes, I think my young one has near worn out our copy of that DVD set, it is a great series. Actually, you can find most of the episodes on youtube with a bit of hunting too.
West Coast Tasmania
Thanks all for this interesting bit of info on the UV in clothing, will have to get the black light and check.
Can just imagine crawling through the bush in camo not knowing you are lit up like a neon sign
