Geoffrey Hill and Kevin McGraw have assembled the world’s leading experts in perception, measurement, and control of bird coloration to contribute to this book. This sumptuously illustrated volume synthesizes more than 1,500 technical papers in this field. The focus is on the three primary mechanisms of color production—melanin pigmentation, carotenoid pigmentation, and structural coloration—but less common as well as newly described mechanisms of color production are also reviewed in detail. The visual perception of birds and the best ways to collect and analyze color data are, for the first time, presented as part of the review of mechanisms of coloration. This book will be essential reading for biologists studying animal coloration, but it will also be treasured by anyone curious about how birds produce and perceive their bold and brilliant color displays.

Preface

I Perception and Measurements

1 Color Perception

2 Quantifying Colors/p>

3 Analyzing Colors

4 Effects of Light Environment of Color Communication

II Mechanism of Production

5 Mechanics of Carotenoid-Based Coloration

6 Mechanics of Melanin-Based Coloration

7 Anatomy, Physics, and Evolution of Structural Colors

8 Mechanics of Uncommon Colors: Prerins, Porphyrins, and Psittacofulvins

9 Cosmetic and Adventitious Colors

III Controls and Regulation of Expression

10 Hormonal Control of Coloration

11 Genetic Basic of Color Variation in Wild Birds

12 Environmentals Regulation of Ornamental Coloration

Acknowledgments

Contributors

Species Index

Subject Index