Date: June 28, 2017
Source: Monash University
Male birds often use brightly colored plumage to be attractive to females. However, such eye-catching trimmings may also attract unwanted attention from predators. Now, a new study has found that showy males indeed perceive themselves to be at a greater risk of predation.
The study's lead author, PhD student Alex McQueen, from the School of Biological Sciences, studied risk-taking behaviour in Australia's favourite bird, the superb fairy wren, also known as the blue wren. Every year, male wrens change their color from dull brown to a stunning combination of brilliant azure blue, with contrasting dark-blue and black plumage.
This annual color change makes them a useful study species for measuring the risk of being brightly colored, as the behaviour of the same individual bird can be compared while he is in different colors.
Continued
The study's lead author, PhD student Alex McQueen, from the School of Biological Sciences, studied risk-taking behaviour in Australia's favourite bird, the superb fairy wren, also known as the blue wren. Every year, male wrens change their color from dull brown to a stunning combination of brilliant azure blue, with contrasting dark-blue and black plumage.
This annual color change makes them a useful study species for measuring the risk of being brightly colored, as the behaviour of the same individual bird can be compared while he is in different colors.
Continued
No comments:
Post a Comment