Ecology: ultraviolet reflectance by the skin of nestlings

Nature
Violaine JourdiePhilipp Heeb

Abstract

Birds can perceive the reflectance of ultraviolet light by biological structures. Here we show that the skin of the mouth and body of starling nestlings substantially reflects light in the ultraviolet range and that young in which this reflectance is reduced will gain less mass than controls, despite low background levels of ultraviolet and visible light in the nest. We suggest that this ultraviolet reflectance from starling nestlings and its contrast with surrounding surfaces are important for parental decisions about food allocation.

References

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Citations

Nov 15, 2011·Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·Toni LaaksonenC Kate M Lessells
Apr 27, 2012·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·Zachary AidalaMark E Hauber
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Jul 19, 2006·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Pierre BizePhilipp Heeb
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Sep 13, 2014·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Doris GomezClaire Doutrelant

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