Hairy and Yoke-toed

Roman sent a photograph of a Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) nestling. In addition to zygodactyly shared with family-mates, the Cuckoos, the natal trichoptiles are observable still. These natal “hair feathers” are single keratinized fibers unlike the barbed (but without hooklets) natal down of other birds.

13 July 2008 at the Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

For additional perspectives, sarracenia in birdlovers has posted a weekend update. The loss and breakage of some of those trichoptiles is evident when compared to the photo posted a week ago.

[Original]

~ by finchwench on Monday, 14 July 2008.