Pressure point and Great egret: Difference between pages

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{{Taxobox
{{for|the use of pressure points in first aid|Emergency bleeding control}}
| name = Great Egret
A '''pressure point''' in the field of [[martial arts]] represents an area on the human body that when contacted produces significant pain or some other effect. [[Martial arts]] practitioners do not focus just on increasing the "brute strength" of their strikes<ref>See "[http://www.dillman.com/books.asp Humane pressure-point self-defence]" by George Dillman</ref>, but also on the target of their strikes to maximize the impact, and to achieve specific outcomes<ref>See "[http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0840381077] Martial arts for the University" by Rick Clark</ref>.
| status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref>{{IUCN2006|assessors=[[BirdLife International]]|year=2004|id=49586|title=Casmerodius albus|downloaded=12 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern</ref>
| image = Great_Egret_Fish.jpg
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Aves]]
| ordo = [[Ciconiiformes]]
| familia = [[Ardeidae]]
| genus = ''[[Ardea (genus)|Ardea]]''
| species = '''''A. alba'''''
| binomial = ''Ardea alba''
| subdivision_ranks = Synonyms
| subdivision =
*''Casmerodius albus''
* ''Egretta alba''
}}


The '''Great Egret''' ''Ardea alba'', also known as the '''Great White Egret''', or '''Common Egret''', is a wading [[egret]], found in most of the tropical and warmer temperate parts of the world, although it is very local in southern [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. It is called '''Kōtuku''' in [[New Zealand]]. It is sometimes confused with the Great White Heron in [[Florida]], which is a white [[Polymorphism (biology)|morph]] of the [[Great Blue Heron]].
The study of pressure points has a long history <ref>See "[http://www.amazon.com/dp/0804820155 The Bible of Karate Bubishi]" by Patrick McCarthy</ref>, although it has been to a large degree withheld <ref>See [http://www.ao-denkou-kai.org/the_wall_of_silence.htm "Wall of Silence" by Rick Clark]</ref> from the general public until recent years. This has resulted in much mis-information being passed on, including many urban legends <ref>See [http://www.taiji-qigong.co.uk/Articles/no%20touch.htm The no-touch knockout]</ref>.


==Description==
==Types of pressure points==
The Great Egret is a large bird with all white plumage that can reach 101 cm in height and weigh up to 950 g. It is only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or [[Grey Heron]]s. Apart from size, the Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet. It also has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and [[bittern]]s, and distinguishes them from [[stork]]s, [[crane (bird)|crane]]s and [[spoonbill]]s, which extend their necks.
There are several types of pressure points, each of which is applied differently, and each one creating different effects. Some of the principles are discussed below. There are several types of Pressure Points: Pain points; Tendon, ligament and muscle points; and Reflex Pressure points. It is a common misconception that pressure points do not work because all they have seen are these type 1 pain points. Type 2 (Tendon, ligament and muscle points) cause a reaction whether there is pain or not and Type 3 Reflex pressure points always cause a reaction If done correctly as the body can not function without these reflexes (balance, blood pressure, breathing, consciousness, etc).


===Pain===
==Behaviour==
[[Image:Landing great egret.jpg|thumb|left| Great egret is landing at the lake in [[Golden Gate Park]], [[San Francisco]]]]
Some pressure points produce pain when struck, pressed or rubbed (depending on the point itself). While the distraction of pain might offer sufficient advantage in a fight, additionally the body has a [[Pain withdrawal reflex]] whereby it reacts to pain by moving away from it <ref>See also "[[Withdrawal reflex|nociceptive withdrawal reflex]]"</ref>. Martial artists can make use of this through minimal effort <ref>See [http://www.yachigusaryu.com/essays/pain_and_pain_withdrawl_reflexes.html Pain & Pain Withdrawal Reflexes]</ref>. Applying pressure to the [[collar bone]] from above will cause the subject to move downwards, whereas poking them in the gap between the ear and neck will make their body want to move upwards. Pressure to the shoulder causes that side of the body to move back. A jab to the abdomen in the middle of the stomach will cause some people to twist around, away from the pain. A rub down the back will cause the body to move forwards. Some points react more violently to pain from changes in the pressure (rubbing) rather than constant pressure. <ref> See [http://www.quanlikan.com/indiv_item_pages/RPP_item_page.html Reflex Pressure Points] by Bruce Miller</ref>
The Great Egret feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, spearing fish, frogs or insects with its long, sharp bill. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. It is a common species, usually easily seen.


The Great Egret is partially [[bird migration|migratory]], with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with cold winters. It breeds in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands. It builds a bulky stick nest. The call at breeding colonies is a loud croaking "cuk cuk cuk".
===Blood & blood pressure===
The [[baroreceptors]] in the [[carotid artery]] are pressure-sensitive, supplying the brain with information to control systemic blood pressure. Pressure against this region will send signals which indicate that blood pressure is too high and lead to a lowering of blood pressure<ref>See [http://www.taiji-qigong.co.uk/Articles/olddimmak.html A medical view of dim-mak]</ref>. Additionally the knockout is caused by the force being transmitted to the [[reticular activating system]] <ref>See [http://www.quanlikan.com/indiv_item_pages/CBLFKO_item_page.html The Complete Book of Light Force Knockouts] by Bruce Miller</ref>.


==Conservation status==
===Break===
Although generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range, the Great Egret is highly endangered in New Zealand, with only one breeding site at [[Okarito Lagoon]].<ref>[http://www.nzbirds.com/Kotuku.html Kotuku, the white heron]</ref><ref>i8ihy7[http://www.wellingtonzoo.com/animals/animals/natives/kotuku.html Native Fact sheet, Kotuku] Wellington Zoo</ref> In [[North America]], large numbers of Great Egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. Its range has expanded as far north as southern [[Canada]]. However, in some parts of the southern [[United States]], its numbers have declined due to habitat loss. Nevertheless, it adapts well to human habitation and can be readily seen near wetlands and bodies of water in urban and suburban areas. In 1953 the Great Egret in flight was chosen as the symbol of the [[National Audubon Society]], which was formed in part to prevent the killing of birds for their feathers.<ref>[http://www.audubon.org/centennial/timeline_intro.php# Aubudon Timeline]</ref><ref>[http://www.audubon.org/centennial/species.php Historical Highlights: Signature Species]</ref>
There are certain areas which are likely to lead to a break if struck properly, such as the "[[floating rib]]s", the [[philtrum]], and the side of the knee.


They are Protected in Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.
===Hyper-extension===
There are joints that when struck, can be hyper-extended and even torn. This is a technique which can cause permanent damage to one's opponent. There are two types:
*Brute force: This takes advantage of the vulnerability of the strike point, usually a joint, thereby causing the damage.
*[[Golgi organ]]s: A relatively gentle strike to the Golgi tendon at the back of the elbow, for example, triggers a reflex which immediately relaxes that tendon allowing the elbow to bend more easily in the wrong direction. If this is immediately followed by a solid strike to the elbow joint, the elbow can be broken with significantly less effort than through brute force. {{Fact|date=April 2008}}


The Great Egret is one of the species to which the ''Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds'' ([[AEWA]]) applies.
===Concussion===
The brain is a very sensitive [[organ (anatomy)|organ]]. It floats in a fluid (''[[cerebral spinal fluid]]'') and balances on a very flexible [[vertebral column|spine]]. These safety mechanisms allow the head to take substantial impact without resulting in concussion. However, martial art techniques can be delivered in a way which effectively eliminates such protections, thus causing disorientation or instantaneous knockout. The most commonly taught technique involves a strike just below the [[occipital ridge]], at the correct angle in the correct direction. Another well known point with this effect is the chin or lower jaw, giving rise to the [[boxing]] expression, a "glass jaw"<ref>See [http://en.allexperts.com/q/Boxing-1533/Glass-Jaw-v-s.htm Boxing and the Glass Jaw]</ref>.


[[Image:GreatEgret Alligator.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Great Egret perched nearby an [[Alligator]].]]
===Energy===
Some believe there are energy channels which flow around the body through [[acupuncture]] [[meridian (Chinese medicine)|meridians]], and an attack will impact the flows, and thus impact the body. This is called "chi", "ki" or "[[qi]]" in East Asian cultures. [[Traditional Chinese medicine]] theory is based on the idea that specific pathway lines called meridians exist on the human body, along which are found many hundreds of [[acupressure]] points. [[Acupuncture]] is the most well known use of the meridian system. Pressing, [[Chin na|seizing]] or striking (dim mak) these points (or combinations of points) with specific intent and at certain angles can result in either heightening or diminishing [[qi]] circulation in the body, according to this theory. Arts such as [[Bak Mei]] and [[Bok Foo Pai]] utilize this strategy almost exclusively in combat. (See [[Acupuncture]] for a discussion on the existence or non-existence of such meridians.)


==References==
==Taxonomy==
[[Image:Great Egrets I3- Kolkata IMG 1132.jpg|thumb|In breeding & non-breeding plumage in congregation in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]. ]]
<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[Image:Nz 2d front.jpg|thumb|100px|[[New Zealand]] [[NZD|$2 Coin]] with the '''Kōtuku''' minted since 1990]] -->
Various authors also identify this species as ''Egretta alba'' and ''Casmerodius albus''. However, this species closely resembles the large ''Ardea'' herons such as [[Grey Heron]] and [[Great Blue Heron]] in everything but colour, whereas it shows fewer similarities to the smaller white egrets.


There are four subspecies in various parts of the world, of which the largest is ''A. a. modesta''.
==External links==
* Article Collections
*# [http://www.ao-denkou-kai.org/articles.htm Professor Rick Clark]
*# [http://dragonsociety.com/articles.php Rick Moneymaker]
*# [http://www.taiji-qigong.co.uk/Free_To_Download/Erle's%20Articles/Articles/newarticles.html Erle Montaigue (see "Dim Mak")]
*# [http://www.russellstutely.com/membership/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=5&Itemid=36 Russell Stutely]


===Subspecies===
* Pressure point systems
* ''A. a. modesta'' - Asia and [[Australasia]].
*# [http://www.ocfm.co.uk The OCFM - Featuring Russell Stutely]
* ''A. a. alba'' - [[Europe]]
*# [http://www.ao-denkou-kai.org Ao Denkou Kai]
* ''A. a. egretta'' - [[Americas]]
*# [http://dragonsociety.com Dragon Society]
* ''A. a. melanorhynchos'' - [[Africa]]
*# [http://www.dillman.com Dillman Karate International]
*# [http://www.quanlikan.com Quan Li K'an]
*# [http://www.taiji-qigong.co.uk Erle Montaigue]
*# [http://www.kyushojitsu.ca Kyusho Jitsu Canada]


==Cultural References==
* Specific topics

*# [http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=423 What are pressure points?]
The Great Egret is depicted on the reverse side of the 5-[[Brazilian Real|Brazilian Reais]] banknote, and on the New Zealand $2 coin.
*# [http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=430 Types of Points]

*# [http://www.pressurepointkarate.com/vital_point_striking.htm History of vital point striking]
==References ==<!-- Waterbirds 28(2): 256 -->
*# [http://www.bojuka.ca/pressure-points-charts.shtml Pressure point charts]
{{reflist}}
*# [http://www.pressurepointkarate.com/pressure-point-charts.htm Diagrams & use of specified points]

*# [http://www.fightingarts.com/reading/article.php?id=523 When pressure points fail]
==Bibliography==

*''[[The Birds of the Western Palearctic|Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa: The Birds of the Western Palearctic]]''

*{{ITIS|ID=554135|taxon=Ardea alba|year=2006|date=9 February}}

*''Peterson, Roger T. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Birds. 4th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 102.''

==External links==
{{commonscat|Ardea alba}}
*[http://www.ebepe.com/html/great_egret.html The Great White Egret] Image documentation
*[http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Great_Egret.html Great Egret Information] - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
*[http://sdakotabirds.com/species/great_egret_info.htm Great Egret Information and Photos] - South Dakota Birds and Birding
*[http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i1960id.html Great Egret Information] - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter
*[http://www.flickr.com/groups/birdguide/pool/tags/ardea%20alba Species Field Guide on Flickr]


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[[af:Grootwitreier]]
[[fr:Point de compression]]
[[bg:Голяма бяла чапла]]
[[he:נקודת תורפה]]
[[cs:Volavka bílá]]
[[de:Silberreiher]]
[[es:Ardea alba]]
[[eo:Granda egretardeo]]
[[fr:Ardea alba]]
[[fy:Grutte Wite Reager]]
[[gl:Garza branca]]
[[hr:Velika bijela čaplja]]
[[it:Casmerodius albus]]
[[lt:Didysis baltasis garnys]]
[[hu:Nagy kócsag]]
[[mi:Kōtuku]]
[[ms:Burung Bangau Besar]]
[[nl:Grote zilverreiger]]
[[ja:ダイサギ]]
[[no:Egretthegre]]
[[pl:Czapla biała]]
[[pt:Garça-branca-grande]]
[[qu:Hatun waqar]]
[[ru:Большая белая цапля]]
[[fi:Jalohaikara]]
[[sv:Ägretthäger]]
[[th:นกยางโทนใหญ่]]
[[tr:Büyük ak balıkçıl]]
[[zh:大白鹭]]

Revision as of 23:32, 8 October 2008

Great Egret
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Ciconiiformes
Family:
Ardeidae
Genus:
Ardea
Species:
A. alba
Binomial name
Ardea alba
Synonyms
  • Casmerodius albus
  • Egretta alba

The Great Egret Ardea alba, also known as the Great White Egret, or Common Egret, is a wading egret, found in most of the tropical and warmer temperate parts of the world, although it is very local in southern Europe and Asia. It is called Kōtuku in New Zealand. It is sometimes confused with the Great White Heron in Florida, which is a white morph of the Great Blue Heron.

Description

The Great Egret is a large bird with all white plumage that can reach 101 cm in height and weigh up to 950 g. It is only slightly smaller than the Great Blue or Grey Herons. Apart from size, the Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet. It also has a slow flight, with its neck retracted. This is characteristic of herons and bitterns, and distinguishes them from storks, cranes and spoonbills, which extend their necks.

Behaviour

Great egret is landing at the lake in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

The Great Egret feeds in shallow water or drier habitats, spearing fish, frogs or insects with its long, sharp bill. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. It is a common species, usually easily seen.

The Great Egret is partially migratory, with northern hemisphere birds moving south from areas with cold winters. It breeds in colonies in trees close to large lakes with reed beds or other extensive wetlands. It builds a bulky stick nest. The call at breeding colonies is a loud croaking "cuk cuk cuk".

Conservation status

Although generally a very successful species with a large and expanding range, the Great Egret is highly endangered in New Zealand, with only one breeding site at Okarito Lagoon.[2][3] In North America, large numbers of Great Egrets were killed around the end of the 19th century so that their plumes could be used to decorate hats. Numbers have since recovered as a result of conservation measures. Its range has expanded as far north as southern Canada. However, in some parts of the southern United States, its numbers have declined due to habitat loss. Nevertheless, it adapts well to human habitation and can be readily seen near wetlands and bodies of water in urban and suburban areas. In 1953 the Great Egret in flight was chosen as the symbol of the National Audubon Society, which was formed in part to prevent the killing of birds for their feathers.[4][5]

They are Protected in Australia under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.

The Great Egret is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.

Great Egret perched nearby an Alligator.

Taxonomy

In breeding & non-breeding plumage in congregation in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Various authors also identify this species as Egretta alba and Casmerodius albus. However, this species closely resembles the large Ardea herons such as Grey Heron and Great Blue Heron in everything but colour, whereas it shows fewer similarities to the smaller white egrets.

There are four subspecies in various parts of the world, of which the largest is A. a. modesta.

Subspecies

Cultural References

The Great Egret is depicted on the reverse side of the 5-Brazilian Reais banknote, and on the New Zealand $2 coin.

References

  1. ^ Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
  2. ^ Kotuku, the white heron
  3. ^ i8ihy7Native Fact sheet, Kotuku Wellington Zoo
  4. ^ Aubudon Timeline
  5. ^ Historical Highlights: Signature Species

Bibliography

  • "Ardea alba". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 9 February. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  • Peterson, Roger T. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Birds. 4th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin. 102.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ardea alba.
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