Plumage evolution: Explaining the vivid colors of birds
Tropical birds are well known for their colorful appearance: vibrantly colored macaws, parakeets and parrots are widely considered to be the quintessential birds of this region. The popularity of these birds leads many to assume that tropical climates are home to a greater proportion of colorful birds than temperate climates. But do birds evolve to become more colorful when they move to the tropics? New research provides insight into plumage evolution. Ref. Source 2k.
Besides fish, birds have the most variety within a species making them very interesting to observe. Look at the parrot or the peacock with their amazing variety of colors to the amazing eagle. Even common birds are interesting like the all black scavenger crows.
How some chickens got striped feathers
Birds show an amazing diversity in plumage color and patterning. But what are the genetic mechanisms creating such patterns? Researchers now report that two independent mutations are required to explain the development of the sex-linked barring pattern in chicken. Both mutations affect the function of CDKN2A, a tumor suppressor gene associated with melanoma in humans. Ref. Source 1e.
How yellow and blue make green in parrots. Many brightly colored birds get their pigments from the foods that they eat, but that's not true of parrots. Now, researchers reporting a study of familiar pet store parakeets -- also known as budgies -- have new evidence to explain how the birds produce their characteristic yellow, blue, and green feathers. Source 3m.