Record Holders (with Quiz)

[Lisbeth]

Eventually.....

[Klipspringer]

A contender for the smelliest bird or even animal!


Green Woodhoopoes.—When disturbed, cavityroosting Green Woodhoopoes turn their tails toward the threat and excrete a foul-scented secretion from their uropygial glands. Compounds in the secretion include dimethyl-sulfide (scent of rott en eggs), and the rank odor persists on any surface it touches. The interesting behavioral presentation of a liquid stench suggests a putative chemical defense against vertebrate predators, as does the behavior of young birds, which release large quantities of foul-scented, liquid feces when disturbed. Both responses could presumably evoke unpalatable or aversive reactions in predators, such as snakes, genets and rats, which frequently att ack woodhoopoes in their cavities.

Smelling bad may even help birds by keeping their feathers and skin free of parasites and microbes. A study found 17 antimicrobial compounds in the wood hoopoe's foul excretions that could protect it from lice, bacteria, yeast, moulds and even fungi.


Fulmars are similarly disgusting. They will eat anything, from fish to rubbish, and that gives them their weapon. When chicks feel that they are in danger they projectile-vomit chunks of the smelly stomach oil. Adult fulmars simply spit their stomach oils at intruders.

[Richprins]

[Klipspringer]

A collective record

[nan]

love, love Orchid, that need nothing... only tree, humidity and light

[Klipspringer]

love, love Orchid, that need nothing... only tree, humidity and light

Yep, it is the family of orchids

[Richprins]

The biggest orchid?

[Klipspringer]

a collective record

[Lisbeth]

Is the second one also an orchid?

[nan]

spermatophyte ... like Vanilla as well
I've got a lot of Orchids at home, they don't need fertilization (self-fertilization)