Rictal bristles

YC Wee
on 4th August 2009

Lena Chow sent in an image of the Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) showing short rictal bristles arising from the base of the bill (below). We are familiar with the long bristles in nightjars but unfamiliar with short bristles as seen in this dove.

Bristles are specialised contour feathers where the rachis lacks barbs. Such bristles projecting from the base of the bills in birds are known as rictal bristles. These bristles are believed to channel insects into the mouth but there is yet to be proofs of this. Wind tunnel experiments have demonstrated that these bristles protect the eyes from flying insects and other debris. Conover & Miller (1980) released particles in front of the mouths of Willow Flycatchers and birds whose bristles were removed had their eyes struck by these particles. On the other hand, George (2004) believes that these bristles may help birds detect movements of prey held in the bill, functioning like whiskers in some mammals.

Eyelashes of birds are another example of rictal bristles.

References:
1. Conover, M. R. & D. E. Miller, 1980. Rictal bristle function in Willow Flycatcher. Condor 82: 469-471.
2. George, A. C., Jr., 2004. Form and function: The external bird.. Pp. 3.1-3.70 in: Podulka, S., R. W. Jr. Rohrbaugh & R. Bonney (eds.) Handbook of bird biology. Ithaca, NY: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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4 responses

  1. Dear YC Wee
    I truly enjoy your nature blog on birds. I like birds watching at Mt Faber Park which is near my home. I saw a couple of white thrushs there recently on a few occasions 🙂

    I am a librarian with the National Library Board where the libraries do organise talks on nature by organisations such as the Nature Society (Singapore). We also answer enquiries from the public at [email protected] where any topics can be asked on and the librarians will try their best to answer them. Your blog will serve as a useful resource on birds and nature in Singapore.

    Keep up the good work in this informative blog.

    Regards
    Soon Huat

    Reply

    1. Hi Matt,

      Thank you for pointing out this post to us. The article was written at a time when research materials were not as wide-ranging and accessible on the internet.

      We are glad you came across our blog site that features living things and particularly birds from this part of the world.

      Reply

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