Noisy Friarbird - WHY BARE HEADS AND BILL KNOBS?

[Alistair Stewart <>]

G'day all that are still reading this thread...

I'm surprised no one has brought up sexual selection as a factor in its 
evolution. Selection of novel and extreme characters frequently occurs 
in birds. Perhaps its just a case of female friarbirds liking bald males 
with big knobs, which has been perpetuated over time. But there is most 
likely a coaction of factors that has led to its evolution, including a 
possible fitness advantage.

Another thing has come to mind, what if these characters have evolved in 
response to a now extinct species of plant, with possibly a resinous or 
sticky nectar...

Just throwing some ideas around.

Al


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