Re: possible role of echolocation in K-T survival

[Ronald Orenstein <ornstn@inforamp.net>]

In Aves, the only 
>nocturnal birds ( caprimulgiforms, strigiformes, some swifts ) are 
>related to each other. Caprimulgiformes ( goatsuckers, frogmouths, 
>nightjars ) are nocturnal and their descendents the Strigiformes ( owls 
>) are also nocturnal. However, some other descendents, swifts, only a 
>few live in the dark, and their near relatives ( possible descendents ) 
>the hummingbirds are like all other birds. This is very strange.
>
> MattTroutman

There are actually more nocturnal, or at least semi nocturnal, birds than
that.  Some Charadriiforms (eg some coursers (Rhinoptilus), the Galapagos
Lava Gull), and the Kakapo, a flightless New Zealand parrot, for example.
So are kiwis - perhaps their extreme reliance on smell, most unusual in
birds, is connected with this.

Also - to answer another post - the oilbird is not the only bird to
echolocate - at least some of the cave-nesting swiftlets (Collocalia) do as
well.
--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
1825 Shady Creek Court                 
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2          mailto:ornstn@inforamp.net