Re: Quetzalcoatlus ecology (was T. rex vision)

[jrc <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

I agree with Mike.  I just don't see any way that quetz could be capable of 
a rapid strike.  Plus, the 'beak' doesn't have a sharp or pointed tip.

I too, have noticed a lot of confusion between convective and dynamic 
soaring, and the morphological biases associated with them.

JimC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Habib" <mhabib5@jhmi.edu>
To: <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 9:34 AM
Subject: Quetzalcoatlus ecology (was T. rex vision)


> Like Jim, I also find the stork analog unlikely.  I think Darren (despite 
> being quite an insightful guy) has overlooked how storks actually feed; 
> their feeding behavior actually has a lot of similarities to that of 
> herons.  In fact, storks sometimes snap up small birds that are airborne. 
> Storks are rapid strike predators.  Opportunistic yes, but not dippers.
>
> It is also worth noting that Dr. Naish pins some of his conclusions on 
> assumptions about Quetzalcoatlus flight parameters (and flight mechanics 
> in general) that are in error.  For example, he seems to confuse the 
> adaptations for gliding and convective soaring.