"…and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!"
August 29, 2013 6:55 AM Subscribe
Ooof, I had to stop watching that due to dizziness but what I saw looked very cute! (And also reminded me of Fantasia)
posted by halcyonday at 7:28 AM on August 29, 2013
posted by halcyonday at 7:28 AM on August 29, 2013
Part of ostrich behavior includes waltzing, the habit of spinning around and around crazily when the sun comes up. The birds would often fall and break a leg, a usually fatal injury in ostriches. Ostrich farmers had to factor in annual losses of 8–10% for ostrich waltzing deaths. - Oaklandwiki.org
Fun Facts:
Ostriches kick forward, not back like horses; it's the direction their legs bend.
Alpha males maintain these herds, and mate with the group's dominant hen. The male sometimes mates with others in the group, and wandering males may also mate with lesser hens. All of the group's hens place their eggs in the dominant hen's nest—though her own are given the prominent center place. The dominant hen and male take turns incubating the giant eggs. When the eggs hatch after 35 to 45 days incubation, the male usually defends the hatchlings and teaches them to feed, although males and females cooperate in rearing chicks.
The ostrich has the largest eye of any land animal. Its eye measures almost 2 in (5 cm) across.
When fully grown an ostrich has one of the most advanced immune systems known to mankind.
Ostriches have three stomachs.
posted by JujuB at 8:22 AM on August 29, 2013 [3 favorites]
Fun Facts:
Ostriches kick forward, not back like horses; it's the direction their legs bend.
Alpha males maintain these herds, and mate with the group's dominant hen. The male sometimes mates with others in the group, and wandering males may also mate with lesser hens. All of the group's hens place their eggs in the dominant hen's nest—though her own are given the prominent center place. The dominant hen and male take turns incubating the giant eggs. When the eggs hatch after 35 to 45 days incubation, the male usually defends the hatchlings and teaches them to feed, although males and females cooperate in rearing chicks.
The ostrich has the largest eye of any land animal. Its eye measures almost 2 in (5 cm) across.
When fully grown an ostrich has one of the most advanced immune systems known to mankind.
Ostriches have three stomachs.
posted by JujuB at 8:22 AM on August 29, 2013 [3 favorites]
I've seen people dance like this at goth clubs. Almost everything, it seems, has a basis in nature.
posted by mykescipark at 8:54 AM on August 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mykescipark at 8:54 AM on August 29, 2013 [1 favorite]
Almost everything, it seems, has a basis in nature.
Don't you mean a bass in nature?
(sorry)
Now I'm wondering if dinosaurs danced.
posted by longdaysjourney at 9:18 AM on August 29, 2013
Don't you mean a bass in nature?
(sorry)
Now I'm wondering if dinosaurs danced.
posted by longdaysjourney at 9:18 AM on August 29, 2013
That first part almost seemed choreographed, with the group of spinning birds and then one more making a dramatic entrance from out of frame. It's like an ostrich ballet!
It's interesting that the twirling is a common behavior, but I can't help but wonder why they do it if it is so potentially injurious. Are they confused by the sunrise, and don't know which way to look, so they just keep turning? Or is there actually some non-obvious benefit to them from doing this (other than "it's fun!")?
posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 9:47 AM on August 29, 2013
It's interesting that the twirling is a common behavior, but I can't help but wonder why they do it if it is so potentially injurious. Are they confused by the sunrise, and don't know which way to look, so they just keep turning? Or is there actually some non-obvious benefit to them from doing this (other than "it's fun!")?
posted by Nat "King" Cole Porter Wagoner at 9:47 AM on August 29, 2013
Whoa... now I think I know where the creators of Fantasia got the idea to include dancing ostriches in The Dance of the Hours!!
I must know why they do this. Fascinating.
posted by Cygnet at 11:39 AM on August 29, 2013
I must know why they do this. Fascinating.
posted by Cygnet at 11:39 AM on August 29, 2013
Glad to see that they quit twirling long enough to poop and then get right back into the twirl. (It would be messy beyond words if they didn't take that little break.)
posted by leftcoastbob at 11:58 AM on August 29, 2013
posted by leftcoastbob at 11:58 AM on August 29, 2013
So cute! Very merry indeed. Though I am sad to read about the potential for injury.
I see I'm not the only one who was reminded of Fantasia!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:08 PM on August 29, 2013
I see I'm not the only one who was reminded of Fantasia!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 8:08 PM on August 29, 2013
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posted by Mizu at 7:26 AM on August 29, 2013