Survival of the fittest: Adding weight on feeble pigeons helps them punch above their feather
Such changes in the puny pigeons’ behaviour only lasted as long as the weights remained.
By ET Bureau | Updated:
iStock
Acting hawkish on the mere perception of superpowers could really set the cat among the pigeons.
Upsets in the pecking order can lead to ruffled feathers, but the outcome need not always be unpheasant, as recently published research featuring pigeons has demonstrated. The discovery that the mere attachment of weights to the feet of the feeblest members of a kit of pigeons could make them literally punch above their (feather)weight has added a new dimension to the phrase ‘survival of the fittest’.
And aptly so, given that Charles Darwin was an unabashed admirer of columbines and they play an important part in his famous work, On the Origin of Species. As even casual observation would bear out, the burly birds in general always get the worm as the smaller ones invariably quail at the prospect of taking on the bullies. And, indiscriminate feeding by humans exacerbates the imbalance. But the new discovery by researchers at University of London that even a perceived increase in weight leads to weakling pigeons gaining confidence and actually winning in face-offs with more pugnacious peristeropodes can have applications beyond the avian world.
The point of caution, of course, is the added revelation that such changes in the puny pigeons’ behaviour only lasted as long as the weights remained; once removed, they dove right back into meekness. Acting hawkish on the mere perception of superpowers could really set the cat among the pigeons.
Viru’s A-Level Humour, Virat’s Style Statement, Women Team’s Big Win Stole The Show At BCCI Awards
1/6
One of the most awaited nights in Indian cricket, the BCCI awards, took place in Mumbai on Sunday. The awards were meant to honour the best in cricket for the year 2018-19 in over 25 categories.
The who’s who of Indian cricket, from captain Virat Kohli, team coach Ravi Shastri to teammates Shikhar Dhawan, Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma and others were in attendance. Honouring the cricketers with awards were the newly appointed BCCI Chief Sourav Ganguly and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. Here are all the major highlights of the star-studded night.
One of the most awaited nights in Indian cricket, the BCCI awards, took place in Mumbai on Sunday. The awards were meant to honour the best in cricket for the year 2018-19 in over 25 categories.The w..
Read More
Taking home the biggest award of the night was former cricketer, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who was felicitated with the Colonel C.K.Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. Srikkanth shared the stage with BCCI Chief Sourav Ganguly and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah.
However, one of the highlights of the evening was former cricketer Virendar Sehwag’s A-level humour which stole the show at the awards. Our very own ‘Viru’ delivered the seventh Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi lecture at the BCCI awards. The lecture was established to honour former captain of the Indian cricket team Tiger Pataudi.
Commenting on the ICC’s plan to revamp Test cricket by shortening it to four days, Sehwag said, “Chaar din ki chandni hoti hai, Test match nahi...Jal ki machli jal main hi acchi hai, bahar nikaloge toh mar jaegi (Test matches aren’t meant to last 4 days. A fish is better suited for water. It will die if taken out of its habitat).”
Taking a strong stand against ICC’s move, Sehwag, in his usual style, said, "...Test cricket ko chanda mama ke pass le jaa sakte hai. (We can take Test cricket to the moon). We can have Day-Night Test cricket. If there is a day-night Test, maybe people will come to watch game after office. Innovations should happen but within the five days. It should not be shortened" he asserted.
(With inputs from PTI)
Taking home the biggest award of the night was former cricketer, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who was felicitated with the Colonel C.K.Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. Srikkanth shared the stage with ..
Read More
Taking away the biggest honour of the night was ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah who was feted with Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer - men’s category. BCCI secretary Jay Shah felicitated Bumrah with the honour. The award includes a trophy, a citation and a cheque worth Rs 15 lakh.
Bumrah took home another honour, the Dilip Sardesai Award for Highest Wickets in Test Cricket 2018-19. The award honoured the bowler’s international exploits. Bumrah took 34 wickets in six matches with three five-wicket hauls.
Poonam Yadav, on the other hand, was given the Best International Cricketer Award in the women's category.
Taking away the biggest honour of the night was ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah who was feted with Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer - men’s category. BCCI secretary Jay Shah felicit..
Read More
Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore also made an appearance at the red carpet of the BCCI awards. The ‘Chupke Chupke’ actress dressed her sartorial best and looked graceful as ever in a turquoise-blue saree.
Also seen accompanying mommy dearest was daughter Soha Ali Khan who sported a funky dark green polka-dot top complete with black leggings.
Sharmila Tagore’s BCCI association dates back to her late husband, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, who used to be the captain of the Indian cricket team.
Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore also made an appearance at the red carpet of the BCCI awards. The ‘Chupke Chupke’ actress dressed her sartorial best and looked graceful as ever in a turquoise-blue sa..
Read More
Arriving at the BCCI awards in style were the members of the women’s cricket team who owned the night, thanks to their wardrobe. Former captain of the national women’s cricket team, Jhulan Nishit Goswami, wore a black blazer with pink highlights.
Smriti Mandhana wore a stunning black jumpsuit with white highlights, perfectly paired with a pink jacket. Cricketers Shafali Verma and Richa Verma broke gender stereotypes by going for shirts and pants paired with coats. Poonam Yadav followed suit and went for a black ensemble paired with a light-blue waistcoat.
Arriving at the BCCI awards in style were the members of the women’s cricket team who owned the night, thanks to their wardrobe. Former captain of the national women’s cricket team, Jhulan Nishit Gos..
Read More
While women stole the show at the BCCI awards with their killer wardrobe, the men’s cricket team were looking dapper and sharp too. Shades of black and blue dominated the choice of suits of the cricketers.
While Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan went for black coats paired with white shirts, Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav stunned in blue hues. Dada, on the other hand, kept it simplistic by opting for a blue blazer paired with blue pants.
While women stole the show at the BCCI awards with their killer wardrobe, the men’s cricket team were looking dapper and sharp too. Shades of black and blue dominated the choice of suits of the crick..
