The ability of feathers to perform many functions either simultaneously or at different times
throughout the year or life of a bird is integral to the evolutionary history of birds. Many …

The increased capacity of DNA sequencing has significantly advanced our understanding of
the phylogeny of birds and the proximate and ultimate mechanisms molding their genomic …

Even as numerous studies have documented that the red and yellow coloration resulting
from the deposition of carotenoids serves as an honest signal of condition, the evolution of …

Red coloration is a salient feature of the natural world. Many vertebrates produce red color
by converting dietary yellow carotenoids into red ketocarotenoids via an unknown …

Melanin, especially integumentary melanin, interacts in numerous ways with
electromagnetic radiation, leading to a set of critical functions, including radiation protection …

Carotenoid pigments underlie most of the red, orange, and yellow visual signals used in
mate choice in vertebrates. However, many of the underlying processes surrounding the …

Carotenoid-based polymorphisms are widespread in populations of birds, fish, and reptiles,
1 but generally little is known about the factors affecting their maintenance in populations. 2 …

The brilliant iridescent plumage of birds creates some of the most stunning color displays
known in the natural world. Iridescent plumage colors are produced by nanostructures in …

Birds display a rainbow of eye colours, but this trait has been little studied compared with
plumage coloration. Avian eye colour variation occurs at all phylogenetic scales: it can be …

Bird plumage coloration is a complex and multifactorial process that involves both genetic
and environmental factors. Diverse pigment groups contribute to plumage variation in …