Shape. Size. Color. Texture. Orientation. These visual clues enable conscious organisms of all kinds to distinguish one object from another. Have you ever wondered about the relative importance of these observable characteristics? How should they be prioritized?

This question was stimulated by Whistler, my pet cockatiel. He was exploring the kitchen counter this morning and discovered a large duck egg sitting there.  The feathers on the top of his head rose to a crest. He tweeted excitedly and circled round and round it. Then, to my astonishment, he raised his little claw appearing determined to hoist himself upon the egg. First he tried one claw. Then the other. Then he used his beak in a fervent attempt to nudge the egg, despite its large proportions, beneath him. After all this failed he ran to the other side of the counter, but didn’t stay there long. In a flash he returned to try all these strategies once again. He appeared baffled by his failure to mount the enticing object. I presume that if he had succeeded he would have nested until the egg hatched.

For Whistler, shape triumphed over size! A giant ovoid equaled a tiny ovoid. Shape may triumph in human visual decipherings as well.  Relating a sapling to a mature tree, a wheel on a bicycle to a wheel on a steering mechanism, a poodle to a collie are all determined by shape- not color, not texture, not orientation, and not size.

Whistler did not merely interpret the ovoid as ‘egg’. It triggered powerful behavioral responses. If shape can elicit urges, can it also elicit avoidances? Are there shapes that are inherently fearsome?

It may seem surprising that Whistler’s behavioral response was related to specific reproductive behaviors that are associated with females, not males.  Actually, this is not an anomaly. I’ve observed other instances of gender role-reversals among my animals, all related to assuring procreation. Males will nurture newborns. Moms will attack attackers.     

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