Large Corvids And Parrots Possess The Largest Avian Brains, Harboring The Highest Absolute Numbers Of

Large corvids and parrots possess the largest avian brains, harboring the highest absolute numbers of neurons (Fig. 1 D and E and Fig. S4C). Their total numbers of neurons are comparable to those of small monkeys or much larger ungulates (Fig. S5).

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/06/07/1517131113.full

the whole paper is a trip, read it if you’re interested in comparative neurobiology with a focus on avian brain structure. tl:dr is: bird cells are smaller than mammalian cells, and as a consequence can pack in twice to four times as many neurons in the same space. bonus: as avian brains scale up they preferentially devote space to the telencephalon with three times as many neurons proportionally in the pallium as compared against humans and holy fuuuuuuuuuck this is the dopest shit read it read it read it

Last used in the early-to-mid twentieth century, Pelican Discouragers are an important cultural artifact of human-bird relations. Originally used to ‘shoo’ Pelicans away from their nests in order to steal the eggs, they later became defensive items during the retaliatory waterfront kidnappings of human infants.

The example above is from New York City, where convict labor was used as the defense; each Discourager was assigned to a particular inmate (as evidenced by the upper number). At the end of their service life the number of prevented kidnappings was recorded below that of the inmate, with the number of losses to the right. 1394 was the number of “Lucky” Luke DeHerlighy, who had the best win:loss ratio in the history of the NYPD work crew.

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Hunting through echolocation, the Bird of Paradise is one of the most distinctive birds on the planet. Also known as ‘Flower Cranes’ for their distinct colouration and nesting area, these ambush predators can often be found lurking amidst broad-leafed plants. The concave feathers atop their heads act as pinna, channeling even the minutest of sounds straight into the auditory meatus. While many Birds of Paradise in captivity present with only two such feathers, wild specimens have been observed with twelve or more. It is hypothesized that the number of pinna-feathers is inversely proportional to the availability of food; the working theory is that a ‘target rich’ environment requires less precision.

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yeno in a zombie apocalypse you could just split a pair of big scissors into two pieces and you have a shiv for yourself and a friend

“It’s a case of mistaken identity,” Gary told me. “Well, kind of. I did it, but I didn’t know what I was doing; guy said he’d gimme money to sing a song a certain way so I do and next thing I know I’m on the ground tackled and the Feds’re accusing me of belonging to a terrorist faction. I never even got paid!” While the charges of conspiracy to commit a terrorist act were eventually dropped, Gary was still sentenced to twenty years imprisonment at Hua Mei Ornithopenitentiary for materially aiding a terrorist organization.

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Whimbrels have a generally mutualist hygienic relationship with several species of small crab. Acting as ‘cleaners’, the small crustaceans will use their nimble and gentle pincers to remove and devour small parasites that have attached themselves to the Whimbrel throughout the course of the day. In return, the bird usually does not eat the crab. Sometimes they do though, because hey! free snack.

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