Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Discussions and information on all Southern African Birds
rayb
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:59 pm
Country: UK
Location: Worcester (the real one in the UK)
Contact:

Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by rayb »

I'm helping my 6 year old grandson with his homework, which is spotting birds in our garden and then doing a comparison with birds in the Gambia. He asked me why the African birds are bigger and brighter and I hazarded a theory that they are bigger and more plentiful because of the climate and the abundance of food. Because they are so plentiful, there is more competition and they need to be colourful to attract a mate. Can anyone help me please?


User avatar
Sprocky
Posts: 7121
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Grietjie Private Reserve
Contact:

Re: Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by Sprocky »

Good question rayb. I don't have an answer though. :o0ps:

Maybe Dewi will shed some light. \O


Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
User avatar
Toko
Posts: 26619
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
Country: -

Re: Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by Toko »

Have read some months ago that coloration in birds speeds up evolution.

I guess the bird plumages have evolved away from brown and dark camouflage coloration and have achieved some striking colors. Might be that the european birds are of the early lineages dominated by dark colors.


User avatar
Dewi
Posts: 9147
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 7:38 pm
Location: United Kingdom
Contact:

Re: Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by Dewi »

Great question by your grandson Ray. \O

There is no clear cut answer to this one.

Studies have proved that there are the same or very similar percentages of colourful to cryptic birds in all regions (23-27%), it's just that in the tropics, there are more species due to the diversity and richness of habitats found there therefore the abundance of colouful ones appears greater. In all regions, there are more dull coloured birds than colourful ones.

Tropical birds tend to favour certain colours, whilst birds of open habitats favour others. These colours, although obvious when the bird is out in the open, act as camoflague when in their habitat.

The colourful species have evolved to use their colour as part of their display. Females pick the showiest/brightest males, therefore their genes are passed down as they are the ones that get the chance to breed.


Dewi

What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
rayb
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Jan 18, 2013 9:59 pm
Country: UK
Location: Worcester (the real one in the UK)
Contact:

Re: Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by rayb »

Thanks Dewi, you're not Chris Packham in disguise are you? :)


User avatar
Sprocky
Posts: 7121
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:29 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Grietjie Private Reserve
Contact:

Re: Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by Sprocky »

I think Chris could learn from Dewi! =O:


Sometimes it’s not until you don’t see what you want to see, that you truly open your eyes.
User avatar
Dewi
Posts: 9147
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 7:38 pm
Location: United Kingdom
Contact:

Re: Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by Dewi »

=O: =O: =O:

There was a Natural World on tv last night Ray - Birds of Paradise. It's not on iPlayer (I just checked). They explained the evolution of the colourful males and their amazing displays. Keep an eye out in case it's on in your area again.


Dewi

What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
User avatar
Dewi
Posts: 9147
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 7:38 pm
Location: United Kingdom
Contact:

Re: Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by Dewi »

Link to some clips from the show.....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pv1kd#clips


Dewi

What is the good of having a nice house without a decent planet to put it on? (H D Thoreau)
User avatar
Richprins
Committee Member
Posts: 75834
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:52 pm
Location: NELSPRUIT
Contact:

Re: Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by Richprins »

Nice, Dewi! \O


Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
User avatar
Flutterby
Posts: 44150
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:28 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Contact:

Re: Why are African birds bigger and brighter

Post by Flutterby »

Interesting stuff here! ;-)


Post Reply

Return to “Birds”