Birds aren’t known for their teeth. One might say that birds in general are toothless, with the exception of baby birds that have a egg tooth to help them exit their eggs. But the truth is, many birds do have teeth, like the goose pictured below. (more bird tooth info at Web Ecoist)
In the cartoon world there has been a corruption of birds and their teeth. One might feel that it is some sort of conspiracy created by the multi billion dollar animation/cartoon industry. You know how those guys like to do that sort of stuff. Not so much for money, but just to freak you out and screw up your kids.
Who knew?
But no real bird has choppers like cartoon birds. Here is a list of cartoon birds that at one time or another have had dental issues: Woody Woodpecker, Donald Duck, Woodstock, Daffy Duck and Iago. Some claim that the whole cartoon bird with teeth phenomenon started in an attempt to give a bird the character of a human. But is that really true?
Case in point:
I have drawn 4 different images that I feel show a lot of expression. Expression that humans can understand. Let’s go over them shall we….
A.) Surprised! Yes, I would say that bird is surprised. Or, maybe trying to sing along with Enya like my bird would do. It didn’t sound so much like Enya. More like, Squak-Arp-Snople-Squarker….
B.) Angry. Miffed. Irritated. A bird’s natural state of being. Well, maybe not, but how do you explain Humming Birds? Satan’s little feathered friends.
C.) Happy. Laughing. Jovial. Or the expression my bird would have when he pooped on the dog.
D.) As anyone can see this is the ” I’m a horrible, dangerous, dinosaur” routine. This action is paired with a very scary RrrrrRRrrrRRrrr noise, then grabbing my finger and pretending to bite it. He began this behavior after seeing a documentary about the the connection between dinosaurs and birds. I told him it was just a theory, but he didn’t buy it.
