Bird tufts are feathers on a bird’s head that are elongated and stand up from the rest of the plumage. They are most often found on owls, but some other birds like cockatoos and macaws also have prominent tufts.
What is the purpose of tufts?
Tufts likely serve multiple purposes for birds that have them:
- Camouflage – Tufts can break up the outline of a bird’s head, helping it blend in with its surroundings while roosting.
- Communication – Positioning of tufts may convey information to other birds. For example, owls often raise tufts to appear bigger and show aggression.
- Hearing – Tufts may funnel sound waves towards a bird’s ears, improving its hearing sensitivity.
- Temperature regulation – The additional feather surface area provided by tufts allows more heat dissipation.
- Species recognition – Distinctive tuft patterns can help birds identify others of their own species.
Which birds have prominent tufts?
Some of the bird species best known for their tufts include:
Owls
Many owl species have noticeable tufts, including:
- Great horned owl
- Screech owl
- Barn owl
- Long-eared owl
- Short-eared owl
In owls, the tufts are often referred to as “plumicorns” or “horns,” though they are composed entirely of feathers and are not true horns.
Cockatoos
Cockatoos in the genus Cacatua exhibit crests of elongated feathers on their heads, including:
- Sulphur-crested cockatoo
- Gang-gang cockatoo
- Galah
- Cockatiel
These crests can be raised and lowered at will to communicate mood or interest.
Macaws
Many large macaws have tufts of wiry feathers above their beaks that may help project their loud calls, such as:
- Scarlet macaw
- Blue-and-yellow macaw
- Red-and-green macaw
What are some key facts about bird tufts?
Here are some key facts about tufts in summary:
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Composition | Elongated, specialized feathers |
| Location | Usually on head; above eyes or beak |
| Function | Camouflage, communication, hearing, temperature regulation |
| Well-known examples | Owls, cockatoos, macaws |
| Other names | Crests, plumicorns, horns |
Conclusion
In summary, bird tufts are feathers specially adapted for various functions like camouflage and communication. They are most often associated with owls, where they are called plumicorns or horns, but also occur in other bird groups like cockatoos and macaws. Tufts serve important purposes related to visual signaling, hearing sensitvity, and temperature regulation. Their distinctive appearance makes them a hallmark of many avian species.
