Big Butt Helps Swan Survival

03/14/2011

British researchers have been measuring the size of swans’ behinds to see if they possibly help the birds survive a long migration to the Arctic. Bewick's swans store fat in their rear to help sustain them during the journey, but their population, and maybe even their backsides, have been dwindling recently.

Read more at BBC Earth.

Bewick's swans winter in Europe before making a 2,400-mile journey to Arctic Russia. In recent years, their numbers have fallen and scientists wonder if this is due to a shortage of food in their winter homes. Measuring the swans will help “rule” out food shortage as the reason for the decline.

The scientists and volunteers are measuring the area between a swan’s legs and tail, where fat is stored over the winter.

"In a slim bird, the bum will look slightly concave, whereas a well-fed bird will have a double bulge,” said Julia Newth, a researcher with Britain’s Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Photo Credits Matt Cardy/Getty Images (2)|David A. Northcott/CORBIS

Comments

[A.F. for Animal Planet]

Swans are so beautiful. I just love them, big butts and all! LOL!

[DungWung]

Sounds like a pretty good idea to me dude.

www.anon-tools.es.tc

[Aleina]

Sounds great to me and like ..

http://funnyandspicy.com/amazing-bird-bar-tailed-godwit-flies-11000-km-nonstop-from-alaska-to-new-zealand

[www.ligerworld.com]

If they travel that much, there is definitely some fats and energy somewhere in their bodies, that help them to travel that much. My question still remains. Do they fly 24/7 within this period? Or do they have some rest in small segments to drink water and stuffs. How much time it takes them to reach this period? Author will please respond to these queries? :)

[wood pellet in Europe]

I can't imagine this kind of picture can be so attractive.

[Adam McClain]

i have BIG BUTT LIKE YOU :)