Yes, of course the tail of modern birds is the word we use for the tail feathers, of which there is no equivalence in other animals. We could say the actual
tail is the stumpy bit (called pygostyle), that contains the very reduced bony structure plus a bit of muscle etc to manipulate the feathers that grow on the pygostyle. And of course the train of the peacock is not a tail in either sense. About the Crested
Pigeon, that display is used in similar context by many species of pigeons, Geoffrey’s 2 photos show that the upper and under tail coverts are both somewhat extended, compared to most birds. I had not noticed that before. I looked quickly at the discussion
paper Geoffrey sent the link to. Sorry I’m not going to attempt to read it. That is so - can I say “over the top”, as to the analysis pursued there…….
Sorry, I have removed the pictures, only to reduce file size.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Geoffrey Dabb via Canberrabirds
Sent: Saturday, 24 August, 2024 1:38 PM
To: Canberrabirds
Subject: [Canberrabirds] A suitable topic for Spring
Philip correctly raises the issue whether the ‘tail’ of the peacock is really a tail. It seems that what is conventionally called a tail is better referred to as a train, being greatly enlarged upper tail coverts (A in below picture) together
with main tail feathers (rectrices (B in below picture). The best discussion I can find on this is at
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0152759
The train is often held erect, near vertical, in a static display before the pre-copulatory train-vibrating display. From captive ornamental peacocks and their depiction, that static display was familiar to Europeans. This led to misrepresentation
of the lyrebird display by illustrators up to the 1932 postage stamp, and beyond. The display plumes of the lyrebird are modified main tail feathers. In display they are flopped forward or sideways. There is no near-vertical static stage like the peacock’s.
The Crested Pigeon sometimes gives a near-vertical display using its normal-type tail feathers.
From: Philip Veerman <>
Sent: Thursday, August 15, 2024 12:01 PM
To: 'Geoffrey Dabb' <>
Cc:
Subject: RE: [Canberrabirds] Suggestion department
Funny picture and great suggestion. I suspect these are young males, maybe growing their first set of immature train feathers. As I think, if they were adults,
the eye spots would be present (I think I only see one). Anyway, it highlights that the so called tail of peacocks is not the tail. This picture features the tail (usually hidden except in this posture), which supports the showy feathers of the rump and lower
back.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds
On Behalf Of Geoffrey Dabb via Canberrabirds
Sent: Thursday, 15 August, 2024 9:26 AM
To: Canberrabirds
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Suggestion department
From Narrabundah-Griffith Olympic Games Suggestions Committee
