There are several kinds of birds that have a distinctive peak or crest on their heads. This peak is made up of feathers and can take different shapes and sizes depending on the species. Some examples of birds with peaked heads include cardinals, jays, cockatoos, and woodpeckers. The peak is an important part of the bird’s appearance and can be used for communication, courtship, and identification. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most recognizable peaked birds and examine the purpose and function of their unique crests.
Cardinals
One of the most well-known birds with a head peak is the Northern Cardinal. The male cardinal has a bright red peak that stands straight up on top of its head. This crest is made up of longer feathers around 6-7 cm long. The female cardinal has a smaller grey or brown peak. The cardinal’s crest serves several purposes:
Identification
The cardinal’s prominent peak makes it easily recognizable even from a distance. This aids in identification between the male and female cardinal, as well as distinguishing the cardinal from other songbirds. The bold red peak contrasts sharply with the black face mask and makes the male cardinal stand out.
Communication
Cardinals use their crest to communicate with other birds. Both males and females will raise and lower their crests or flick them to signal aggression or courtship. An erect peaked crest signals dominance and aggression towards rivals or threats. Lowering the crest signals submission. Females also lower their crest and flutter their wings to signal interest to potential mates.
Courtship and Mating
The male cardinal’s striking red crest plays an important role in initially getting a female’s attention. Males will often perch prominently with their crest raised high to showcase themselves to females. During courtship feeding, the male cardinal will raise his crest to show off for the female as he offers her food. The cardinal’s crest is therefore an important part of its breeding display and courtship rituals.
Jays
Jays are a family of songbirds that include blue jays, gray jays, and Steller’s jays. Many jays have feather crests on their heads that can be raised or lowered. For example:
Blue Jays
Blue jays have a blue crest made up of several feathers that can be up to 5 cm long. When calm, the crest lays flat and blends in with the blue and black feathers on the back of the head and nape. When excited or aggressive, the jay raises its crest straight up to appear larger and signal a threat display. Crest raising also occurs during courtship displays. The prominent blue crest is useful for identifying blue jays in the wild.
Gray Jays
Gray jays have a darker gray crest that typically lies flat on the back of the head. It may raise slightly in aggression or courtship displays. The gray jay’s crest blends in more subtly than the blue jay’s but still aids in identification.
Steller’s Jays
Steller’s jays have a very long, pointed blue-black crest that can reach 6-7 cm in length. When raised vertically, it is shaped like an exclamation point. Steller’s jays will spread their crest widely during threat displays. The long crest identifies them from other jay species. It also serves as a signal during aggressive encounters and courtship.
Cockatoos
Cockatoos are distinctive parrots native to Australia and the South Pacific. They are well-known for their fan-shaped crest of feathers on their heads. The crest can be raised and lowered at will, and serves several functions:
Communication
Cockatoos use their crests to communicate their mood and intentions. The crest is typically erect when the cockatoo is excited, alert, or aggressive. It may raise its crest to threaten other birds or display dominance. When the cockatoo is relaxed, its crest lays flat. Sudden crest raising or erection often signals a shift in the cockatoo’s mood or attention.
Identification
The cockatoo’s unique crest identifies the bird at a glance. Different cockatoo species have varied crest shapes and colors. For example, the yellow-crested cockatoo has a short yellow crest, while Major Mitchell’s cockatoo has a prominent red and yellow crest that curves forward. This aids cockatoo species recognition.
Courtship
During courtship and mating, cockatoos often raise their crests fully upward to appear attractive and impressive to potential mates. Heart rate also increases when interacting with a mate, further raising the crest. Females may bow and flutter their crests in response to males as a mating invitation.
Regulating Heat
Cockatoos’ crests have a blood supply that allows them to function as a thermoregulatory device. Expanding the crest exposes the surface area so more heat can dissipate. This helps cool the cockatoo in hot environments. The crest compresses when the cockatoo is cold to conserve body heat.
Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers have a pointed crest that angles backward from their forehead. The crest is made of several short, stiff feathers up to 4 cm long. While the crest remains perched upright on woodpeckers, specific movements convey information:
Identification
The woodpecker’s pointed crest instantly identifies it from other birds. Regional woodpecker species can be told apart by crest color, such as the red-crested woodpecker and pileated woodpecker. The downy woodpecker has a prominent red spot on the back of its white crest.
Aggression and Alarm
When woodpeckers confront a threat, they will spread their crest to appear larger and more intimidating. Rapid crest fanning signals high arousal. Woodpeckers also fan their crests when defending territories or drumming to advertise their presence.
Courtship
During courtship, woodpeckers face potential mates and bob their heads up and down. The spreading of the crest shows readiness to breed. Males may also tap their bills against tree branches to attract females while flashing the crest.
Nest Excavation
Woodpeckers flare their crest repeatedly when chiseling out nest cavities in trees. The spreading of the crest seems to occur in synchronization with the drumming rhythm. Specialized feathers protect the crest from flying wood debris.
Purpose of the Crest
In summary, some key reasons birds have evolved specialized feathers crests or peaks on their heads include:
Visual Communication
Crests allow birds to visually signal a range of information from identity, mood, threats, alarms, courtship, and more. The feathers can be fanned, erected, lowered, or moved in conspicuous patterns to convey context quickly.
Identification and Camouflage
The crest identifies the bird species and sex. Crest color and pattern provides instant recognition. Crests can also camouflage some species when lying flat against the head and neck.
Courtship Displays
Crests play an integral role in attracting mates and courting potential partners. Both males and females use the feathers to signal interest, health, vibrancy, and strength during breeding season.
Heat Regulation
Some crests with ample blood supply, like the cockatoo’s, serve as mini thermoregulators to help vent excess heat when overheated. This provides adaptive benefits.
Protection
The woodpecker’s stiff peaked crest shields the head from any wood debris during cavity excavation. The specialized feathers prevent injury.
Examples of Birds with Crested Heads
Here is a table summarizing some common birds with distinct crests or peaked heads:
Bird | Crest Description |
---|---|
Northern Cardinal | Prominent red crest that stands straight up |
Blue Jay | Blue feather crest that raises upward |
Cockatoo | Broad, fan-shaped crest |
Woodpecker | Pointed, back-sloping red crest |
Tufted Titmouse | Small pointed crest |
Cedar Waxwing | Small pointed crest |
Andean Cock-of-the-Rock | Bright orange fan crest |
Bald Eagle | White feathered crown |
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a diverse range of bird species that have modified feathers forming distinctive crests or peaks on their heads. These specialized crests serve important functions from communication, courtship displays, camouflage, identification, heat regulation, and protection. Some of the most recognizable crested birds include cardinals, jays, cockatoos, woodpeckers, and eagles. The next time you see a peaked bird, take a closer look at its unique crest and consider what information it may be conveying. The crest is an integral part of the bird’s anatomy and social behavior.