Subject: Re: cormorants
Date: Jan 2 08:17:57 1996
From: Christopher Hill - cehill at u.washington.edu




On Mon, 1 Jan 1996, Bill and Nancy LaFramboise wrote:

>
> The structure of cormorant and Anhinga feathers decreases buoyancy ...to
> facilitate fishing... hence their plumage is not water repellent. It was
> once thought that deficient production of oils necessitated wing drying, but
> it is actually the microscopic structure of the feathers, not the lack of
> oil that makes drying necessary.

If you ever have the chance to pick up a cormorant feather and take it
home, do! Seeing the special characteristics Bill (Nancy?) LaF outlined
above is really neat. I have one, a secondary from a DC cormorant; you
pick it up, it feels HEAVY, solid. If you dip it in water, the water
doesnt bead up on the surface, it soaks right in. It's like playing with
a dinasaur feather or something. Unique, and fun to try and stump your
birding friends with.

Chris Hill
Everett, WA
cehill at u.washington.edu