Tag: Feathers

  • A Mad Scientist’s Dream – Rumpless Chickens (and more)

    A Mad Scientist’s Dream – Rumpless Chickens (and more)

    Today, we delve into the bizarre phenomenon of rumpless chickens—a feathered marvel characterized by caudal dysplasia, or as some like to call it, the ultimate chicken makeover! These quirky birds are missing their pygostyle, that charming little appendage known as the “parson’s nose,” a mutation that defies nature itself. This peculiar trait is inherited through…

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  • Columbidae anatomy and physiology notes

    Columbidae anatomy and physiology notes

    Overall, the anatomy of Columbidae is characterized by short legs, short bills with a fleshy cere, and small heads on large, compact bodies. Like some other birds, the Columbidae have no gall bladders. Some medieval naturalists concluded they have no bile (gall), which in the medieval theory of the four humours explained the allegedly sweet disposition of doves. In fact, however, they do have bile (as Aristotle had…

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  • Daedalus (Greek mythology)

    Daedalus (Greek mythology)

    In Greek mythology, Daedalus (Greek: Δαίδαλος; Latin: Daedalus; Etruscan: Taitale) was a skillful architect and craftsman, seen as a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and power. He is the father of Icarus, the uncle of Perdix, and possibly also the father of Iapyx. Among his most famous creations are the wooden cow for PasiphaĂ«, the Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete which imprisoned the Minotaur, and wings that he and his son Icarus used…

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  • Moulting was known as mewing in medieval times

    Moulting was known as mewing in medieval times

    In biology, moulting (British English), or molting (American English), also known as sloughing, shedding, or in many invertebrates, ecdysis, is the manner in which an animal routinely casts off a part of its body (often, but not always, an outer layer or covering), either at specific times of the year, or at specific points in its life cycle. In medieval times it was also…

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