The origin of 'cocked head'

Posted by R. Berg on November 22, 2001

In Reply to: The origin of 'cocked head' posted by ESC on November 22, 2001

: : I'd like to know te origin of "cocked head"
: : Thanks

: As one who was raised on a chicken farm, I can say with authority that chickens, especially roosters, "cock" their heads. Tilt their heads at an angle. So cock comes from the word for rooster which comes from "cock-a-doodle-doo."

I don't know whether this applies to chickens, but robins can't move their eyes in the eye sockets. They have to turn their heads to look around. A robin on the ground will make frequent quick, angular movements of its head. It's changing its field of view.