An article published in Science Daily titled “Secrets of birds sexual selection revealed” discusses how patterned feathers in birds can play a huge role in warding off rivals and attracting a mate. It was previously thought that patterned feathers were only used for camouflage in birds. However, new evidence suggests that patterned feathers can also attract a mate and ward off rivals. Barred patterns, which are horizontal bars with a combination of dark and light pigmentation, were observed in the study conducted.
A study was conducted comparing around 8900 bird species. In this study, researchers aimed to compare barred plumage and other patterns on the body of males, females and juvenile birds. The researchers found that barred plumage was much more likely to appear only at sexual maturity. They also found that barred plumage does in fact play a huge role in camouflage. The researchers found that many birds had patterns on the front of their body instead of their back. Patterns on the front suggest communication during face to face interactions for attracting a mate, while patterns on the back are more useful for camouflage and hiding from predators.
This study shows that birds use their feather patterns to attract a mate as well as for camouflage to hide from predators. It is also interesting that about 90% of all bird species were examined in this study. Who knew that feather patterns in birds could serve as so many different functions.
Ryan please use the standard way of marking this as yours. It should also include the week of the blogging cycle. Thanks Pete H.
ReplyDeleteIt fascinates me that over 8900 bird species were compared in this study. Something similar to this was brought up in lecture by Professor Houlihan, (where the size of the crests on the chests of some birds represented their social status) and I'm just wondering how and why exactly do these patterns contribute to finding a mate. More specifically, how exactly are the patterns of a successfully mated bird different from that of a less successful bird?
ReplyDeletePosted by James Lin
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ReplyDelete"Patterns on the front suggest communication during face to face interactions for attracting a mate, while patterns on the back are more useful for camouflage and hiding from predators."
ReplyDeleteA very good observation indeed, as it applies not only to birds, but to many other organisms as well. Consider Fire Belly Newts, for instance. Their backs are typically dark brown-black to blend in with soil, while their bellies are a violent shade of orange used in threat displays.
Posted By Jacob Lane
I think it would interesting to see if feather pattern for attractiveness coincides with feather pattern for camouflage and if these two traits evolve together. This also seems to go with one of our lectures, where animal traits of one nature change over time to become involved with another behavior. In this case, going from survival to mating.
ReplyDeletePosted by Austin Gray
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ReplyDeleteFirst off; that is a huge sample size. What interested me about this article is the distinction between "camouflage" and "attractive" plumage. I would think that camouflage would decrease an individuals chance of being preyed upon and make them more fit for survival and thus they would be attractive to a mate because they are more likely to survive.
ReplyDeletePosted by Michael Thomas
This kinda relates back to the whole multiple types of behaviors or ways of communication can interpreted in differently based on the situation. How colors can be used as a way of mating as well as camouflage is really fascinating and I wonder which came first the camouflage or the mating aspect of the bird.
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ReplyDeleteJobin Oommen
Are there any examples where a common patter is both attractive and a form of camouflage? I'm curious because while it's a common style of signals (patterns) it appears that each side of the feather is different. I wonder if females are ever directly attracted to camouflaging patterns.
ReplyDelete-Joey Needleman
Natural selection would favor both a camouflage pattern and a pattern that is attractive to mates. However I could not find any examples relating the two. Obviously it is important for birds to have patterns on their back for camouflage, but at the same time having patterns on the front for attracting a mate is important as well. Since the patterns on the front of the bird attract a mate I wonder if these patterns also make them more vulnerable to predators. I think birds with the most mating success have a good pattern on their backs for camouflage as well a pattern on their front that attracts mates.
ReplyDelete-Ryan Brooks