I was wondering what advantage a pheasant has with that long tail...magpies have long tail also why?
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You're only able to shoot Male pheasants. They have a longer tail so you won't shoot a hen by mistake.
Actually there are two main reasons in theory. One is that it is a defense mechanism. When a predator tries to grab a flushing pheasant, they often grab a mouth full of tail feathers instead. The tail is also an important part of the pheasants mating display. The hen doesn"t need a big tail, because she is better camouflaged and she doesn't need to display. The male wants her more than she wants him. ( kind of like humans).
and that's the truth, I think, lol
Tony
Different birds have different type tails for different reasons...
Buteos for example (broad winged & tailed hawks); they are built to work like a kite and hover. Accipiters like peregrine falcons have more slender tails to work as high speed rudders to make sharp turns in the air. Woodpeckers have very stiff tail feathers by comparison and use them as a third leg to brace themselves against tree trunks. Some tail feathers would seem to be a hinderance more than anything were it not for mating purposes of attracting a mate - peacock are the obvious example there.
There are lots of other reasons I have heard as to why birds have the tail feathers they do. One reason that I always found interesting for pheasants (though I dont believe it) is that it is a lure for predators. It is longer than need be and when a predator takes a swipe at the body, the length of the tail throws it's judgement and if it gets anything at all - it's likely to just get a feather and not it's meaty rump! LOL! Remember too that pheasants in particular were domesticated in China originally and so there is extensive breeding that has made them look how they do.
I don't know if any of that helps ... but it's something to get you thinking =)
Ya beat me to it Tony - LOL! Typing answers at the same time...
O.K. I got it straight now.I know I find it interesting watching a magpie has it flys with that long tail going up and down and I wonder why he needs that much rudder for?
Looking at it from a logical point of view I guess the pheasant and the magpie need there long tail for balance...according to there genetic make up.
A common denominator among birds that have extra-long central tail feathers is that they don't have to fly "for a living" - in other words, they don't rely on their flying maneuverability to obtain food. Those fancy tails seem to be made to impress the female birds ... or perhaps it is the male's ability to survive despite bearing such a handicap which demonstrates his survival instincts, health and fitness.
A long, deeply forked tail is an exception because it is the most efficient configuration for very tight maneuvers at high speed. 'Not so good for sudden braking though, so birds which fly quickly through thick cover have more tail surface for slowing down abruptly when necessary.
It's an interesting topic.
Nancy M.
They make Beautiful Taxidermy Mounts.
~ ED
THAT response wuz frum 'ME'...'not' ED...(He always tries to hog da limelite frum me).
~ ETCC
I saw a magpie land this morning the tail was fanned out real nice it looked just like the bird was parachuting in for a landing.It looked like the bird was using its tail feathers has a flap and elevator all at the smae time.