Do Birds See Color? Frequently Asked     Questions God's Little Finch Handsome Dads Living with Handicapped     Finches Love at First Sight Taking Home a     New Gouldian Wild Gouldians:     Threatened Customers First

To receive our newsletter, fill out the information below. Subscribe: Unsubscribe:

Call Us
770-939-4531
or email
Laraine@ladygouldianfinch.com
If we can help with any
bird health question.

FAX 770-414-8517
Stone Mountain, GA 30087

By Sarah Wilson & Brian Kilcommons
Parade Magazine, October 2006

Are humans the best at seeing in color? For the best sight, we need a bird's-eye view. Some birds have at least four types of color receptors. "We can't possibly imagine how incredibly colorful the world is to birds' eyes," says Scott Lanyon, professor of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. "For every color that we perceive, birds can see multiple distinct colors. Relative to birds, we humans are all color-blind."

Birds can see UV light- a trait that improves a chick's chance of survival.

A bird also can see ultraviolet light, which appears to have evolutionary implications. For example, when a starling parent brings food back to its young, nested in a dark tree, those hungry babies reflect UV to the adult from their skin and gaping mouths. The healthiest and largest baby reflects the most light. Generally, that one gets fed first and most. So when a starling mom tells you how "bright" her child is, she really means it!

Article © lady gouldian finch.com 2008

Your Name: Your E-Mail: Friends Name: Friends E-Mail:	Message to your friend: