Re: Yet more on dinosaur quad climbers

[Jason Brougham <jaseb@amnh.org>]

Where are you getting this stuff? Have you ever seen a sunbittern, or
mockingbird? They use wings for display.


Jason Brougham
Senior Principal Preparator
American Museum of Natural History
jaseb@amnh.org
(212) 496 3544





On 7/12/13 4:08 PM, "Ruben Safir" <ruben@mrbrklyn.com> wrote:

>> 
>> How does having long feathers render a limb useless?
>
>try it yourself.  Stick long lightweight and strong planes onto your
>arms and walk down the street.  I think you will find the affect very
>enlightening :)
>
>Birds, and dinos, in general don't use arm feathers for display, and for
>good
>reason.  You need to tuck the feathers out of the way when you are
>moving around with any speed.  The tail feathers are for display.  Maybe
>a Trex used its arm feathers for display.
>
>
>
>> It certainly doesn't for living birds. In fact, if you argue that
>>Microraptor flew, for example, then it must at least be a decent leaper.
>> That implies plenty of hindlimb function.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> 
>> --Mike