Just following up on this with an amusing video of
Zoos South Australia on Twitter: "Tweet-Woo! Ever wondered what a Sooty Owl having a shower looks like? Wonder no more. All part of cooling enrichment at Adelaide Zoo during the current hot
spell. #ZoosSA #conservation #owl https://t.co/g7cIHoyPOt" / Twitter We don’t see the bird fly after but I guess the bird would be confident that it could.
From: Philip Veerman [
Sent: Monday, 4 January, 2021 6:34 PM
To: 'calyptorhynchus'; 'COG list'
Subject: RE: [Canberrabirds] SCC in the rain
Well yes, of course most birds can fly fully wet. Would be quite awkward if they had a bath and then could not move. Rain does happen and they don’t always
have an umbrella. Cockatoos appear to really enjoy a rain bath after hot weather. Flying efficiency can be reduced for non waterbirds. Birds that regularly get wet obviously have extra adaptations for this.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of calyptorhynchus via Canberrabirds
Sent: Monday, 4 January, 2021 2:34 PM
To:
Subject: [Canberrabirds] SCC in the rain
I’ve just been watching a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in the rain. It was perched in a high gum tree and extended first one wing out, then turned around and extended the other, presumably to get a good soak.
But then it immediately took off. I expected it to come crashing to the ground with the weight of water in its plumage, but it flew on through the heavy rain apparently completely unaffected.
--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
‘There is kinship between people and all animals. Such is the Law.’ Kimberley lawmen (from Yorro Yorro)
