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Rare bird that's both male and female found


Still Waters

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A super rare bird showing both male and female plumage has scientists in Pennsylvania counting their lucky stars.

Split down the middle, with one side flaunting yellow 'wing pits', and the other side rocking a pink underwing, researchers say this spectacular-looking songbird is one for the record books.

While we can't be sure without a blood test or an autopsy, the team says this rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) is probably the product of a genetic anomaly known as bilateral gynandromorphy, one we've seen in birds before.

Unlike true hermaphroditism, which refers to having both male and female reproductive tissues, gynandromorphs display contrasting sexual characteristics on each side of their body.

In this case, while one side of the rose-breasted grosbeak appears genetically female, the other side shows all the hallmarks of a genetic male.

https://www.sciencealert.com/this-spectacular-bird-is-male-on-one-side-and-female-on-the-other

https://carnegiemnh.org/press/researchers-at-powdermill-nature-reserve-observe-rare-gynandromorph-bird-containing-both-male-and-female-characteristics/

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I think everyone remembers the first time they heard the word hermaphrodite... Mine was in Science class in middle school learning about worms. 

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3 minutes ago, Iilaa'mpuul'xem said:

I think everyone remembers the first time they heard the word hermaphrodite... Mine was in Science class in middle school learning about worms. 

Mine was as a child when I read Hermaphroditus' entry in a encyclopedia on Greek myths. I was looking for interesting gods/monsters/creatures to draw. I can't remember whether I ended up drawing Hermaphroditus or not.

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1 hour ago, Still Waters said:

A super rare bird showing both male and female plumage has scientists in Pennsylvania counting their lucky stars.

Split down the middle, with one side flaunting yellow 'wing pits', and the other side rocking a pink underwing, researchers say this spectacular-looking songbird is one for the record books.

While we can't be sure without a blood test or an autopsy, the team says this rose-breasted grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) is probably the product of a genetic anomaly known as bilateral gynandromorphy, one we've seen in birds before.

Unlike true hermaphroditism, which refers to having both male and female reproductive tissues, gynandromorphs display contrasting sexual characteristics on each side of their body.

In this case, while one side of the rose-breasted grosbeak appears genetically female, the other side shows all the hallmarks of a genetic male.

https://www.sciencealert.com/this-spectacular-bird-is-male-on-one-side-and-female-on-the-other

https://carnegiemnh.org/press/researchers-at-powdermill-nature-reserve-observe-rare-gynandromorph-bird-containing-both-male-and-female-characteristics/

Amaaaazing! 

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