UV-blue structural coloration and competition for nestboxes in male eastern bluebirds

Article Abstract:

An experiment was conducted to test whether structural plumage coloration in eastern bluebirds can indicate male competitive ability by studying the relation between plumage coloration and body fat, body condition and access to limited nest sites. The observations supported the hypothesis that structural plumage color is a condition-dependant trait in male eastern bluebirds that could be used to accurately assess the fighting ability of competitors.

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Correlated changes in male plumage coloration and female mate choice in cardueline finches

Article Abstract:

The female mate preferences relative to male ornamental coloration in two species of cardueline finch, was tested. There was a lack of congruence between male trait expression and female trait preference in the lineage, as the female goldfinches and siskins showed consistent preferences for the natural colour displays of males, thus suggesting that there may be evolutionary lags in the correspondence between male traits and female preferences.

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The physiological costs of being colourful: Nutritional control of carotenoid utilization in the American goldfinch, Carduelis tristis

Article Abstract:

The effect of food restriction on the ability of male American goldfinches to physiologically process carotenoids during the period of feather growth is studied. Results reveal that nutritional deprivation affects the degree to which male golfinches transport carotenoids through the bloodstream.

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