尾羽の長さ / Tail Feather Length

2024年6月4日 Birds

This is not an academic analysis, just a personal observation.

First, I’d like to introduce the following bird: the Great-tailed Grackle, a crow-like bird often seen in Phoenix. It’s not a rare bird. As the name suggests, it has an impressive tail. By the way, I didn’t encounter it in the suburbs, so I made sure to take a photo in front of the hotel for the record.

Great-tailed Grackle in Phoenix, Arizona in summer — Great-tailed Grackle.

Curve-billed Thrasher perched in a tree in Phoenix, Arizona in summer — Another previously mentioned bird is the Curve-billed Thrasher. This one also has quite a long tail.

Black-tailed Gnatcatcher perched on a branch at Piestewa Peak Trails in Phoenix, Arizona in summer — The previously mentioned Black-tailed Gnatcatcher.

Cactus Wren standing on a rock at Piestewa Peak Trails in Phoenix, Arizona in summer — Also previously mentioned, the Cactus Wren. This one also seems to have a long tail.

Perhaps I’m influenced by the frequent sightings of the Great-tailed Grackle, but it seems like there are more birds with long tails here compared to Japan. If longer tails provide more stability, like the length of skis, it might be an advantage for survival in the vast, wind-exposed deserts of the West. Just a random thought.