Most bird color studies focus on flashy species with obvious sex differences. Here, we found that even drab, seemingly monochromatic species can show subtle variation that is nearly impossible for humans to perceive! 5/5 tinyurl.com/5berv84a
bioRxiv - the preprint server for biology, operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a research and educational institution
We also compared plumage color between mated individuals and found an unexpected pattern of disassortative mating: more black and saturated birds pair with more gray and unsaturated birds. Plumage may be a signal allowing individuals to choose a genetically dissimilar mate. 4/5
Even though the difference is minor, avian visual models suggest it is perceptible to the signal receiver. Especially since Black Terns occur in wide open habitat conducive to visual signaling, we're pretty confident they can use plumage to distinguish the sexes. 3/5
If you've ever watched Black Terns, you know that males and females are nearly impossible to tell apart. But our quantitative analyses showed a subtle, but significant difference: males are darker than females. 2/5
So good! I think we do still have some of those floating around.
No. The committee considers those “secondary eponyms” and not subject to these changes.
This is a second-year bird in the middle of its prebasic molt (WRP = SPB). There are four generations of feathers visible! 🔴 Juvenile feathers from last summer 🔵 Formative feathers from last fall 🟢 Alternate feathers from this spr/summer 🟡 Basic feathers currently molting in
Oh word?