Cornell Bird Biology - Chapter 3

These pages provide additional information and links related to the subject matter in the "Handbook of Bird Biology" 

General Links

Cornell's All About Birds - Feathers
"Feather Detective" update

Chemistry and Physics of Feather and Skin Color

Psittacofulvins make parrots red.
Blue Skin in birds [ref. Ornithology by Frank Gill, p 97] - colors are caused by arrays of parallel collagen fibers; blue eyes are from a combination of pigments and iridophores, pigment cells with arrays of pigment crystals.  Both are structural colors.
Dinosaur feather color!

Color, Health and Sexual Selection; Evolution

Impact of Feather Color on Testosterone Level
Feather Color and Survival Strategy
Evolution of Iridescence in Grackles and Allies

 

Form and Function:  The External Bird

Table of Contents

Feather Tracts

Feather Form and Function

Care of Feathers

Development of Feathers

Molts and Plumages

Non-feathered Areas

Colors

Functions of Color and Color Patterns