Terrestrial locomotion in the black-billed magpie: kinematic analysis of walking, running and out-of-phase hopping.
The inter-limb kinematic patterns of walking, running and out-of-phase hopping in black-billed magpies (Pica pica) were studied using high-speed video recordings. The flexion/extension patterns of the joints were similar between the gait types, suggesting that the within-leg control of the angular excursions is similar. This result is further supported by the fact that running and hopping are alternative gaits at speeds higher than walking; however, magpies show a preference for hopping. Moreover, only small differences occur between the kinematic patterns of the two limbs during out-of-phase hopping, during which the legs are believed to have different functions. The hindlimb kinematic patterns of magpies are like those of other flying and more terrestrial bird species; however, striking differences are found in comparison with humans at the level of the internal angles. This is probably due to the differences in the morphology and configuration of their legs.
Verstappen
M
M
Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (UIA), Belgium. vstappen@uia.ua.ac.be
Aerts
P
P
Van Damme
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001717:Birds / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D014741:Video Recording; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology