Birkhead in his book "Bird Sense" (2012) writes that unfortunately there is very little published about touch receptors in the bills of small birds.
He also refers to the work of Herman Berkhoudt (1980, 1985) who has studied this issue and who found several touch receptors including Merkel cell receptors, double-column Merkel cell receptors and many Herbst corpuscles, all those in a zebra finch bill (Birkhead 2012). Other species beaks may contain even more receptors. I also tend to believe that both cormorants and pelicans may well have lots of such yet unstudied receptors in their beaks or pouches or other parts of their front bodies which help them locate prey. Unfortunately, I suppose there is no or very little research done in such anatomical and physiological issues on birds right now, so we may discover them after many years.
Hi Giorgo,
I am not sure if this is what you are looking for, although you might find interesting the perspective of Graham Martin. He argues that the cormorants after capturing their prey, they bring it on the surface, then they can "recognise" they prey type through the touch with their (tongue?).
Have a look here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257495620_Through_birds'_eyes_Insights_into_avian_sensory_ecology
Article Through birds' eyes: Insights into avian sensory ecology
Thank you very much indeed Kostis, this is exaactly the kind of information I am tryingto collect right now.The article by dr Martin is excellent. I have already written to thim and asked hime to send some clarifications.
Big thanks
Giorgos
ciao giorgos, seen this?
http://www.rug.nl/research/portal/files/3194992/1998ProcRSocLondBPiersma.pdf
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Zoology
- Ornithology