The Power of Plumage
How color serves…….
Photo: Federico Negri
Birds surely have excellent taste in style.
In their world of colors, hues, tones, and patterns of speckles, spots, barring and variegated markings, birds offer us the richest supply of visual food. Wouldn’t you just love to have a wardrobe of such fine design?
Birds have evolved to fit their environment. Feathers are designed with a vital purpose – to enhance their survival.
Artful plumage of distinct markings and colors attract a mate. An impressive example of this is found in the extravagant, dazzling courting ritual of the male birds of paradise. Their ornamental feathers (some not always practical) amplify the drama of their complex dance routine. It’s a preoccupation taken very seriously as these birds start practicing in their youth to perfect the show.
Studies reveal that birds have the ability to decipher more intense values than we can, perceiving color in the ultraviolet light spectrum.Their visual acuity means that they can determine a greater detail of contrast between shades and gradations of color. This is a reason for the ladies to be very picky when choosing a mate. It’s survival of the fittest. When all has paid off and the partnership has been secured, then it’s the survival of the species.
Photo:Steve Douglas
Brightly colored birds found in the forests of tropical regions need to stand out in dense vegetation and overhead canopy. Consumption of available fruits and floral nectar add to the paint box of color. A bird has to be distinguished amongst a high population of different species and stand out in the crowd.
Feathers serve in recognition and communication.
Colors and patterns help birds identify their own species. During annual migration, it’s necessary to identify who’s the friend or rival of the community.
Conspicuous colors and patterns help to announce the presence of the wearer. They signal to others that the territory has been taken, so move on thank you.
Feathers offer defense against an enemy. Birds can distract a potential invader with a burst of action and flash of feathers and then zip away within seconds.
Undercover color
Laterjay Photography
The capability of camouflage, in color and patterning is a successful survival asset, unique to each species for a variety of purposes. It’s very diverse.
Being able to hide in plain sight gives birds an advantage. They can remain unseen by predators and invisible while stalking some unsuspecting prey.
It’s remarkable how easily some tree dwelling birds, like the Screech Owl and the Great Potoo, can disappear into their environment. These birds are nocturnal but like to hang out during the day in a tree cavity or on a branch. I think that the Great Potoo deserves a round of applause for his convincing tree disguise.
Descriptive patterns on feathers, mottled and streaky, can break up the outline and profile of a bird. The body becomes an unpredictable shape that skillfully transforms to match their surroundings. Bird’s acute sense of sight enables them to identify how and where their camouflage is most effective in the environment.
Times of mating and nesting require keeping a low profile. Often it’s the female bird who sports the more subdued, low contrasting colors. It’s a necessity for protection allowing her to successfully stay hidden while incubating eggs in the nest.The young offspring sport the same low contrasting colors until the mature feathers develop.
We’ve enjoyed watching the Piping Plovers at the beach in summer. Their dinky size and gray sandy colored backs keep them more inconspicuous as they nest in a shallow dip in the sand. But isn’t it still rather a precarious choice?
The clever American Bittern takes camouflage one step further. While patrolling marshy grasses and reeds their vertical stripes keep them well hidden. But a dramatic upward stretching of the neck and swaying in the wind, adds to the elusion.
Photo: Ron Knight
And the Willow Ptarmigan, a large grouse, dresses to impress in camouflage. Found in northern Europe, Scandinavia, Siberia,Alaska and Canada, these birds are able to molt throughout the year of changing seasons. From warm browns in summer to white in winter, they reflect the surrounding vegetation in spring and autumn with a pretty, dappled brown and white.
