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Yes
that the pattern of the forewing is completely obscured when
the wing is folded is true pretty much of all birds, though variably
depending on how long the inner secondaries are. Also Geoffrey wrote "(although this is a female)". To which
I would add that is probably not an although but a likely (as
Harvey notes), given the role reversal in this
species.
I
wonder at the camouflage aspect. The wings are spotted quite similarly in the
Spotted Nightjar for example.
Con's
note on their flying manner is a characteristic and obvious difference between
them and the "true" snipe. Or at least Latham's Snipe, I have no experience with
any of the others but expect that is true.
Philip
Con, Geoff et al,
I've always thought the open wing patterning was reminiscent
of a Sunbittern (not that I've ever seen one of them in life!). And my
understanding there, based on David Attenborough DVDs, is that it is
a bluff tactic used when threatened. I think HANZAB says something about
this in respect of Painted Snipe?
I also wouldn't discount a possible connection to
reproduction/sexual selection given the role reversal in this
species.
Just thoughts.
Harvey
Yes Con - The
pattern is curiously reminiscent of a Barn Owl.
g
From: con [
Sent: Thursday, 27 October
2011 2:23 PM
To:
Subject:
Re: [canberrabirds] Those painted-snipe
Geoffrey
The ones I have seen flying were not fast and
furious like Lathams Snipe but rather slower and more laboured. Plus, unless
disturbed, I assume that they prefer to fly at night. If these two add up then
one possibility is that the patterns are good camouflage for flying in poor
visibility.
regards
Con
On 27/10/2011 10:45 AM, Geoffrey Dabb
wrote:
Haven’t seen those painted-snipe for a few days. Maybe
gone. Reflecting on the views offered when they were here, I am struck by
the unusual butterfly-like quality of the wings. In the below, you might
thing I have flipped the images, but they show the extended left wing (L) and
right wing (R). Therefore the elaborate pattern of the left forewing is
completely obscured when the wing is folded (right and below). Coloured
arrows indicate roughly what I take to be the corresponding parts of the wing,
eg the yellow arrow shows the ‘vermiculated’ parts (are they ‘secondary
coverts’). One wonders what purpose is served by this pattern
- perhaps the enhancing of the bluff display, perhaps something related to
reproduction (although this is a female). The green arrow shows the
rear-looking eye, giving 360 vision - a capacity lost with the kind
of wing extension shown on the right.
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