The diversity of eggshell colours and patterning across different birds is a fascinating
example of the extended avian phenotype. The avian egg's background colours range from …

Background The exceptional diversity of coloration found in avian eggshells has long
fascinated biologists and inspired a broad range of adaptive hypotheses to explain its …

Current research into the evolution and adaptive function of avian eggshell pigmentation,
including maculation, has focused mostly on signalling‐based and structural function …

Many birds lay eggs speckled with black or reddish-brown spots of protoporphyrin pigment,
but the function of these spots is debated. Two recent hypotheses have received …

Avian eggshells are variedly coloured, yet only two pigments, biliverdin and protoporphyrin
IX, are known to contribute to the dramatic diversity of their colours. By contrast, the …

Avian egg colours and patterns are spectacularly diverse and provide a wonderful system to
study both the functional and mechanistic basis of animal colouration. In order to do this, it is …

The avian embryo's development is influenced by both the amount and the wavelength of
the light that passes through the eggshell. Commercial poultry breeders use light of specific …

Birds' eggshells are renowned for their striking colours and varied patterns. Although often
considered exceptionally diverse, we report that avian eggshell coloration, sampled here …

For many birds, the fight for survival begins at the egg stage: avoiding predation is
paramount. At a broad phylogenetic level, selection by predators for egg camouflage …

Birds' eggs often exhibit considerable variation in the presence and pattern of superficial
pigmentation, or maculation. However, despite long appreciation of the nature of this …