Laurie,
It is their ankles! Birds knees bend the same
direction as ours do (and other legged vertebrates). Their knees are hidden
within their bodies and it their ankles that are in the middle of what looks
like their legs. It is just that humans are weird in walking on their feet from
their ankles, rather than just on our toes, like most animals do. Have a look at
the next barbequed (or raw) chicken you have. Red-kneed Dotterels have red
ankles, just as Black-shouldered Kites have black forearms &
wrists.
Philip
----Original Message----- From:
Laurie&Leanne Knight <> To:
Susan Knowles <> Cc:
<> Date:
Tuesday, 17 September 2002 19:37 Subject: Re: [BIRDING-AUS]
Brisbane visit
The bush thick knees are regularly
sunbaking in their favourate spot in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens - one
was kneeling yesterday, which was an interesting sight given their backwards
facing knees - it gave the impression it was leaning on its tail like a
kangaroo. Later on, one of them appeared to be eating some bread
...
Regards, Laurie.
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