birding-aus

birding-aus boobies

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Subject: birding-aus boobies
From: "Keith Betton" <>
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 09:01:17 +0100
Hi Roy

Yes gannets and boobies do have skull protection.  To quote from 
the New Dictionary of Birds (Campbell & Lack)....

"Gannets and boobies feed by plunging, sometimes from over 30m. 
 As they are large birds, their momentum on striking the surface is 
considerable, and they show special adaptations to prevent 
damage on impact, notably strengthening of the skull, imperforate 
external nares and a remarkable system of subcutaneous air-sacs 
which are thought to be primarily shock-absorbing."

Regards
Keith Betton
(London UK)
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