Yet more lying necks: Backwards Birds edition
Back at the start of October I posted Necks: the lying liars that just keep lying, which included Coy Pearson’s beautiful photo of a Cooper’s hawk from behind, with its neck twisted a full 180 degrees to look at the camera.
Not one but two people emailed me in response, with photos they’ve taken of the same phenomenon. The first is from long-time Friend Of SV-POW!, Jerry Harris, who wrote:
Saw your SV-POW post on bird necks and the Cooper’s hawk photo you shared. I have a similar one taken in our backyard, too (attached), in case it’s at all useful to you!
Here it is.
This one’s interesting because it’s pretty much the complement of the photo in the original post: here we see the front of the bird, but the back of its head. (Unlike the other angle, this one makes it clear which direction the neck is twisting.)
I think (can anyone confirm or deny?) that this is another Cooper’s hawk. Is that just coincidence, or are they known for having particularly flexible necks?
The second email was from Tyler Holmes, a long-time reader but only occasional commenter:
The hawk photo in your last post on the lies of bird necks got me thinking. Our local zoo has a female southern ground hornbill and I’ve gotten to spend a lot of time watching her. One day last month, she walked over to the fence where I was sitting with my kids and spent about 45 minutes staring at us and preening. She was able to reach all the way back to the base of her tail quite easily with her beak. At times she was able to look over 180 degrees behind her, but the whole neck wasn’t used equally. Most of the turn came from the three or four vertebrae at the base of the neck, which already have quite a significant bend to them to incline the rest of the neck into an alert posture. I attached a few photos I took, I thought you might find them interesting.
Here are the photos:
What strange, perverted creatures birds are.
Source: https://svpow.com/2025/10/20/yet-more-lying-necks-backwards-birds-edition/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,738,411,922 |
| Stories: | 8,514,963 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
