Why do birds have different coloured eggs?
Posted on 23. December, 2011.
Modern reptiles invariably have white eggs. But the evolution of birds has led to a spectacular array of coloured and patterned eggshells. Avian Biology Research looks at what role these colours play in the reproductive biology of birds.
The role of colour in avian eggshells remains a mystery. Over the years, eminent biologists have proposed that that egg colour is involved with camouflage, sexual signalling, eggshell strength, egg recognition in light of brood parasitism, and even anti-bacterial activity. Despite these many hypotheses, we do not have a categorical explanation for why some birds have coloured or spotted eggs and some have white eggs.
A special issue of Avian Biology Research, published in December 2011, brings together a collection of invited reviews on the topic of egg colouration from leading authorities around the world. Hypotheses explaining the colour and patterns that some bird eggshells display are explored. Ideas about the functional significance of colour in avian reproduction are also discussed.
In this issue:
- Nick Sparks considers the nature of eggshell pigments and how they are deposited on the shells
doi: 10.3184/175815511X13228269481875 - Martin Stevens looks at the critical issues surrounding the perception of colour, and explains that what humans see does not necessarily apply to birds and their potential predators
doi: 10.3184/175815511X13207790177958 - Phillip Cassey and colleagues, and Mary Stoddard and colleagues, separately consider the role and evolution of conspicuous or imperfectly camouflaged eggs
doi: 10.3184/175815511X13207699868421 and doi: 10.3184/175815511X13207484398647 - Andrew Gosler and colleagues report their recent work carried out to better define the potential role that pigmentation plays in eggshell strength
doi: 10.3184/175815511X13207833399666 - Charles Deeming reviews the relationships between colour and the functional properties of the eggshell, particularly its ability to conduct water vapour, in commercially exploited and wild species
doi: 10.3184/175815511X13207819436147 - Thomas Pike examines colour beyond normal human perception and how birds identify their own eggs
doi: 10.3184/175815511X13228268534598
Avian Biology Research, is published quarterly by Science Reviews 2000 Ltd. It is a broad-based scientific journal covering all aspects of ornithology. For more information visit www.avianbiologyresearch.co.uk.
Click here to find out more about Avian Biology Research.
Click here to subscribe to Avian Biology Research.
