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#QueerAnimals

Pheasant: diversity in plumage

In gallinaceous birds such as chickens, pheasants or peacocks, it can happen that female birds develop male characteristics. As early as the 4th century BC, Aristotle described how some hens, for example, develop a larger comb, crow or behave like roosters. They often stop laying eggs as a result. This usually happens when their hormone balance changes, for example because the ovary is no longer functioning properly.

Even in the animal kingdom, gender, appearance and behaviour do not always fit neatly into fixed categories.

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