- Aug 16, 2013
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There is another theory besides the island devoid of terrestrial predators theory. That is that the birds that gave rise to modern malayoids were developed in a landscape dominated by large apex predators. A tiger or a leopard would probably not risk an eye for a tiny morsel, and the smaller predators would be busy trying to hide from tigers and leopards, while staying full on the scavenged kills of these larger predators. The birds may have adapted the attitude that we know and love as a result. Sometimes evasive actions win out over time, but think of the skunk. Having your eyes pecked out by a psycho asil hen that will absolutely not quit or back down is at least as unpleasant as being sprayed by a skunk. Behavior adaptations are pretty widespread, some mimicking more dangerous species (tail rattling in blacksnakes). The behavioral adaptations could have prevented the need to fly much higher than a tiger's eyeballs.
The observations I have made would indicate that there is a marked difference in the flight response of the two types. The hens of both will defend chicks, but the American Game type will usually break off the attack once the chicks scatter. The Asil hen will drive the threat out of the area with relentless fury. In some cases she will send chicks to cover before actively engaging the threat, seeking it out and approaching it. Both types of chicks will scatter once big enough to be able to. (Younger chicks will immediately hide in vegetation). American game chicks when scattering tend to run flap flutter and fly to safety, perching and freezing when able (which for them is four weeks). It's the covey of quail response, relying on startling and bewildering a predator making it difficult to single one out. The asil types will use their longer legs to run, (which they can do much faster than normal chickens) then when they get to cover they go torpedo mode, stabbing their long necks as deep into cover as they can fit, where they will stay until the hen comes to get them. Less startling and bewildering and more putting distance between them and a threat, a devil take the hindmost attitude leading to selection for speed(long legs).
The observations I have made would indicate that there is a marked difference in the flight response of the two types. The hens of both will defend chicks, but the American Game type will usually break off the attack once the chicks scatter. The Asil hen will drive the threat out of the area with relentless fury. In some cases she will send chicks to cover before actively engaging the threat, seeking it out and approaching it. Both types of chicks will scatter once big enough to be able to. (Younger chicks will immediately hide in vegetation). American game chicks when scattering tend to run flap flutter and fly to safety, perching and freezing when able (which for them is four weeks). It's the covey of quail response, relying on startling and bewildering a predator making it difficult to single one out. The asil types will use their longer legs to run, (which they can do much faster than normal chickens) then when they get to cover they go torpedo mode, stabbing their long necks as deep into cover as they can fit, where they will stay until the hen comes to get them. Less startling and bewildering and more putting distance between them and a threat, a devil take the hindmost attitude leading to selection for speed(long legs).
