Mirror (plumage)
In ornithology , the term mirror or wing mirror (Latin speculum ) describes the clear visual protrusion of a part of the plumage in the wing area.
A wing mirror is particularly pronounced in swimming ducks, in which the arm wings often contrast clearly with the rest of the wing. This contrast is clearly visible in the swimming bird and in flight. The characteristic is often present in both sexes and also in the plain dress and is therefore well suited for identification in some species.
The wing mirror of the mallard shows z. B. a white bordered, iridescent dark blue, which is created by structural colors on the flags of the arm wings and is particularly effective under sunlight at a certain angle. A shimmering green can be found on the teal . The wing mirror of the gadfly is pure white.
During courtship of various species of ducks, the wing mirror can play a role in the so-called sham cleaning , where the drake touches it with its beak or presents it conspicuously while it appears to be cleaning itself behind the wing.
Other groups of birds also show a clearly pronounced wing mirror, including various finches and parrots , for example from the genus Amazona .
swell
Individual evidence
- ^ UN Glutz von Blotzheim, KM Bauer: Handbook of the birds of Central Europe. Volume 2: Anseriformes (1st part). AULA-Verlag, 2004, ISBN 3-923527-00-4 .
literature
- Ralf Wassmann: Ornithological pocket dictionary . AULA-Verlag, Wiesbaden 1999, ISBN 3-89104-627-8 .
- Lexicon of Biology. 5th volume, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg 2004, ISBN 3-8274-0330-8 .