Wattle (anatomy) facts for kids

A wattle is a soft, fleshy flap of skin that hangs from the head or neck of some birds and mammals. These skin growths are also called caruncles. Wattles are usually found in pairs, but sometimes there's just one, which might be called a dewlap. Often, wattles look different between males and females of the same species. This can help tell them apart! Sometimes, these skin flaps are so noticeable that animals are named after them, like the double-wattled cassowary or the Red Wattle pig.

Wattles in Birds

Why Do Birds Have Wattles?

For birds, wattles are often like a fancy decoration used to attract a mate. Big, bright wattles can show that a male bird is strong, healthy, and good at avoiding danger. This tells a female that he would be a good father for her chicks! Wattles might also be linked to genes that help birds fight off diseases. In some birds, like umbrellabirds, the wattle can even help make their calls louder, like a built-in megaphone!

Birds with Wattles

Many different kinds of birds have wattles. Here are some examples:

• From the neck or throat:

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A rooster's wattles hang from the throat

* Cassowaries (like the northern, southern, and dwarf cassowaries) * Birds like wild turkeys and chickens * Some types of vultures * Certain lapwings * The male wattled starling * Some Australian wattlebirds * The New Zealand wattlebirds (including the kokako, tieke, and huia) * The wattled crane * Three types of neotropical bellbirds

• From below or around the eyes:

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A southern hill myna in southern India shows yellow wattles on its head

* The African wattle-eye * The wattled jacana * The African wattled lapwing * Many male pheasants * Spectacled tyrant * Gracula hill mynas * Muscovy duck * The English carrier pigeon

Wattles in Mammals

Some mammals also have wattles, though they are less common than in birds.

• Certain domestic goats have small, fleshy, fur-covered bumps called tassels that hang on either side of their throat.
• Some domestic pigs, like the Kunekune, Lithuanian Native pig, and Red Wattle, have a fleshy growth hanging on each side of their throat.

Gallery

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  A common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) with bright red facial wattles

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  A male white bellbird (Procnias albus) with a long wattle hanging from its upper bill

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  A southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) with double wattles hanging from its throat

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  A goat (Capra hircus) with small wattles at the base of its throat

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  Red Wattle pig with wattles at the base of its throat

See Also

• Casque (anatomy)
• Crest (feathers)
• Comb (anatomy) - the fleshy structure on top of the heads of many chicken-like birds
• Frontal shield
• Gular pouch