It is also a case of established "knowledge" can be challenged.
Question was raised by Janson:
Does a swiftlet colony fly in one direction only (Clockwise or CC)? Read in a book by famous guy in the industry that it is so.
- My observation from the successful farm told me it couldn't be so as my main entrance to 2nd (floor) is counter clockwise, and staircase to lower floor is clockwise. And lower floor is densely populated. However, I don't know if they might have a dominant/preferred direction."
First he saw a contradiction to his observations. The conflict raises a doubt, so what is true?
My answer:
I don't subscribe the CW or CC theory too. Come in CW also means going out CC isn't it? Just that when the bird come in one direction it continue circle in same direction, rather to made abrupt change, which they are well capable of too.
His response:
Your example is precise enough, didn't cross my mind earlier.
In my limited readings, there is no claim a colony fly in one direction only (I take as in general flights). So this statement can be "misleading". Or as Eugene says some consultants preach one direction only. How true is that? Can be just as misleading.
There are implications in books (though not explicitly) some birds are CC and CW. Does it also imply birds are either one or other, just like us human - left handed and right handed?
When you see illustration in books drawing circles CC and CW all over, looks impressive but there is little content actually. The author need to pad it up, doesn't he?
When such "information" (won't refer as knowledge) floats and regurgitate by many over and over .. perpetuates a myth eventually. Then through perception as reality.
So what is 1/2 truth?
Yes, we see birds flying both in CC and CW direction in the roving/nesting rooms continuously.
Then what is the truth?
Got it yet? Take a clue from Janson's remark:
"if you see how swiftlets maneuver along the small lanes during the evening, they're better than any jet plane pilots around"
What is more true than:
These birds are amazing flying creatures!
Have you watch them making "about-turn" in mid air along a narrow passage?
They are unafraid of large predator birds in the sky.. knowing they can out maneuver them. So does the idea of CW & CC hold as Eugene states.. out there they fly in all directions with ease! Why are they call swiftlets in the first place?
In open sky while gliding, turning is simple movement in shifting wings elevation and body weight. So is there a left-wing/right wing tendency? I doubt so, correct me if I am wrong.
When birds fly into tighter space such as roving room, max. speed is to circle around the boundary (like us taking corners on the roads, right?) Or one can explain with Newton's laws of motion & momentum.
Where is the need to reverse suddenly unless threatened?
A same bird may well come in CC and next time CW while exploring the BH. Once they are settled, they are 'programmed' with the fastest route in/out, dependent on nesting location. So logically from this perspective, a colony would take the same path in/out. CC or CW can be a random mix among the population from different nesting spots. Did you see juveniles doing "figure 8" in the BH?
Above are my take to elaborate.. of course, there can still be "Truths, 1/2 truths, myths and misleading ideas" embedded within!
I begin to feel an "Open Learning Network" can actually work.
What have I learned in this exercise? Pick a topic from a member and bring into focus - one at a time. Agree?
7 comments:
the famous guy must be chuckling...........let me clue you in...........'familiarity bred change'
are your conclusions derived thru deduction or induction??
are they based on a false premise?
btw depending on which g mail ac I'm using I could be posting as mike or tweetybird therefore the ooops!
it was not meant to confuse
perhaps 'alter ego' mike was hasty in his posting by not being more elaborate
Hi.. There is no pretense that view is an "absolute" truth. We all made observations, through it learn inductively. There is a certain amount of deductive logic to bind into a coherent view. Whether base on false premise, unless a research study conducted specifically on this. There is no better view to my understanding atm. Can you offer a more enlightening perspective?
You made a good point, come to think about it. Whether CW or CC, its citation has no claimed on scientific basis, can be equally on footing of false premise.
Await your take on this subject..
the F1 track analogy is a good example..
operative word is "conducive"
another is 'conditioning"
and you could actually have killed a Roy
Ah Mike, I see where you come from. We are looking from slightly different perspective.
Your points "conducive" & "conditioning" refers to BH design.
Agree, internal layout should cater for both CW, CC paths. Should be no problem for adequate room size.
"Conditioning" is analogous to my reference as "programmed after settled in".
My view is towards bird's natural tendency as the question posed: "whether there is preferred/dominant direction", which I believe is neutral i.e. birds are not left/right inclined.
So their preferences are adaptive to the internal layout. Hence a colony may appear to prefer a particular direction - being "conditioned" in your paradigm.
Perhaps like humans, could swiftlets have right or left handed tendencies? Meaning, one of the wings have a certain preference in terms of strengh and dexterity resulting in a CW/CCW action. (Those who have done some rowing knows which side is your preferred!)But in moments of need, either direction is ok.
Hi, thank you for sharing your experienced and all the wonderful photo. I am Eric, I have strong passion on swiftlet farm, I wonder can I have your email or perhaps msn? I have lots of question to ask you =P
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