Author(s):

Parkash Singh and Ramneek Kaur Brar

Abstract: Human interest in the coloration of bird plumage has fascinated humans since ancient era. Fascination with plumage coloration stems from the rich variety of colors and patterns observed across bird species. Plumage coloration serves many functions, ranging from crypsis and camouflage to social signaling and mate choice. Plumage coloration serves a wide range of functions in aves including species recognition, inter and intra sexual signaling and camouflage. Carotenoids are the second most common pigment found in bird plumage. These are not synthesized by avian body and must be acquired from its diet. It was long thought that color of bird feathers does not change after plumage moult. The avian plumage gamut lacks saturated green, blue, purple, UV-green and UV-red colors. There may be two possibilities: these colors may be very challenging or impossible to create, or simply undesirable or poorly functioning. Plumage coloration serves a number of functions in aves including species recognition, sexual signaling and camouflage.

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