Bird Coloration: Vol. 1, Mechanisms and Measurement; Vol. 2, Function and Evolution
Edited by:
- Geoffrey E. Hill &
- Kevin J. McGraw
Harvard University Press: 2006. Vol. 1, 544 pp. £59.95;Vol. 2, 496 pp. £59.95 0674018931, 9780674018938, 0674021762, 9780674021761 | ISBN: 0-674-01893-1
Who can fail to be beguiled by the extravagant plumage colours of birds of paradise, peacocks and parrots? But there's more to feathers than showy displays. These remarkable, lightweight structures, which evolved 150 million years ago, perform a range of functions, both within individuals and across species. For example, they are one of the best thermal insulators known; they have several aerodynamic properties, creating refined aerofoil structures, producing lift and reducing drag; they can be waterproof; they are resistant to wear and abrasion, and are self-repairing; they perform a wide variety of sensory functions; and they create humid habitats for parasites and symbionts. Finally — and this is the focus of Bird Coloration, a two-volume work edited by Geoffrey Hill and Kevin McGraw — feathers produce a plethora of colours that demand an evolutionary explanation.
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