>The neck swaying seemed to me to be counter-productive to the exercise. I
>confirmed in HANZAB that the behaviour has been documented, during the
>search for food, but I failed to come up with any benefits which could
>result from this behaviour. Surely live prey could be alerted by this
>movement. Perhaps the movement is involuntary. Perhaps the neck is
>preparing to receive and transport food? Even quivering with excitement? I
>know I was,trying to work it out!
>
>Any ideas out there?
Jill,
The thought I had as I read your email was that perhaps it is "flexing" its
neck muscles prior to what is an extraordinarily rapid lunge - in a similar
way to joggers flexing their legs, muscles and tendons, and any other
athletes for that matter, before and after taking off.
Harvey
.........................................................................
Dr Harvey D. Perkins :: Editor, :
Divn Biochemistry & Molecular Biology :: Canberra Bird Notes :
Faculty of Science :: (Journal of the Canberra :
Australian National University :: Ornithologists Group - COG) :
Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia :: 42 Summerland Circuit, :
ph: (02) 6249 2693; fax:(02) 6249 0313 :: Kambah, ACT 2902 :
email: :: Ph: (02) 6231 8209 :
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