General
22 Sep 05
22 Sep 05
Kids ask great questions sometimes.
I'm a biologist and my neighbour asked me...
"Why a white birds white, it's a silly colour if you want to hide... except in snow?"
I thought for a sec' about explaining sexual selection and the birds and the bees and then just said "Dunno, maybe they just lost their colours" (7 yrs of education down the drain from me then).
Anyone got a better answer for a 5yr old
22 Sep 05
Originally posted by Grand Master GavGod supports England (although even a five year old would find that hard to believe).
Kids ask great questions sometimes.
I'm a biologist and my neighbour asked me...
"Why a white birds white, it's a silly colour if you want to hide... except in snow?"
I thought for a sec' about explaining sexual selection and the birds and the bees and then just said "Dunno, maybe they just lost their colours" (7 yrs of education down the drain from me then).
Anyone got a better answer for a 5yr old
22 Sep 05
Originally posted by PullhardWas that supposed to be whitty... I might have been easily offended but nah... especially when God is so obviously on whatever side you are on.
God supports England (although even a five year old would find that hard to believe).
Bless you for the comment... although what it has do with mine I really don't know.
22 Sep 05
Originally posted by PullhardNah not insulted by an insinuation that God created birds (via evolution or spontaneously), however, was I supposed to get that from "God supports England". hmmm missed your rather accute angle on a humourous answer for a 5yr old child.
You were obviously insulted by the insinuation God created birds, I assumed you are atheist.
God made them like that works though.
My brother just said... "They just are.. alright kid.. don't ask silly questions".
I like that too (he is such a wonder with small children). 😀
22 Sep 05
Originally posted by Grand Master GavOh, the English quip. England sport colours are white. Hence, God giving them white feathers. Was it too subtle?
Nah not insulted by an insinuation that God created birds (via evolution or spontaneously), however, was I supposed to get that from "God supports England". hmmm missed your rather accute angle on a humourous answer for a 5yr old child.
God made them like that works though.
My brother just said... "They just are.. alright kid.. don't ask silly questions".
I like that too (he is such a wonder with small children). 😀
22 Sep 05
Originally posted by PullhardLol... sorry "flew" over my head but got ya now... Very good. Mind you he would probably get it as he is a bright kid.
Oh, the English quip. England sport colours are white. Hence, God giving them white feathers. Was it too subtle?
My other brother just suggested..
"Look a squirrel"
Quite a few suggestions floating around over a beer or three here.
22 Sep 05
Originally posted by Grand Master GavBirds can escape almost any predator by flying and sitting in trees. Therefore camoflauge becomes less important. However, they need to be able to tell who to mate with! There's lots of birds out there!
Kids ask great questions sometimes.
I'm a biologist and my neighbour asked me...
"Why a white birds white, it's a silly colour if you want to hide... except in snow?"
I thought for a sec' about explaining sexual selection and the birds and the bees and then just said "Dunno, maybe they just lost their colours" (7 yrs of education down the drain from me then).
Anyone got a better answer for a 5yr old
How's that work?
22 Sep 05
Originally posted by Grand Master GavI suppose you're talking specifically about snowy egrets? If so, camouflage becomes less of an issue as they hang around cattle, wildebeast, and other large mammals out in open country picking off ticks and bugs that the beast stir up, thus not needing to be camouflaged as other birds. Swans mainly stay in the water and don't have many natural enemies usually hang out in groups. White Cockatiels in the jungle, I have no explanation except maybe a keen sense of survival and wits and a squawking lingo warning each other of danger....snowy owls obviously have few enemies and live where it is snowy, so are camouflaged...I'm not a biologist, but know that other forms of life such as albino snakes, fish, other reptiles rarely last long in the wild as they cannot blend into their natural surroundings and are thus a meal waiting to happen...I could be wrong....
Kids ask great questions sometimes.
I'm a biologist and my neighbour asked me...
"Why a white birds white, it's a silly colour if you want to hide... except in snow?"
I thought for a sec' about explaining sexual selection and the birds and the bees and then just said "Dunno, maybe they just lost their colours" (7 yrs of education down the drain from me then).
Anyone got a better answer for a 5yr old
22 Sep 05
Originally posted by AThousandYoungMating calls, different colours and behaviour.
Birds can escape almost any predator by flying and sitting in trees. Therefore camoflauge becomes less important. However, they need to be able to tell who to mate with! There's lots of birds out there!
How's that work?