Re: Cormorants, anhingas & soaked feathers

[don ohmes <d_ohmes@yahoo.com>]

Fuzzy memories of unscientific "observations" taken on
the rivers of N FL tell me that anhingas are reluctant
to fly OR swim when "drying"...even when approached by
a boat.

--- Ian Paulsen <birdbooker@zipcon.net> wrote:
> HI:
>  I think you feel for the "urban myth" of the
> ornithological world.
> Cormorants do have a uropygial gland. Its the
> feather structure: the
> barbules are spaced farther apart, and they hook
> together less readily,
> allowing water to collect on the spaces  between,
> giving cormorants
> wetable feathers. They probably spread their wings
> for thermoregulation
> not
> just to dry out the wings.
> 
> -- 
> Ian Paulsen
> Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
> A.K.A.: "Birdbooker"
> "Rallidae all the way!"
>