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Biology of the Integument pp 239–247Cite as

Colouration

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Abstract

In birds almost the entire skin is covered by plumage. Therefore concomitantly with the evolution of feathers a system of coloration had to be developed. From the reptilian heritage keratin either uncoloured or with diffuse pigments, melanosomes and air-filled cavities have been provided. By means of sophisticated interactions of this basal equipment the most luxurious costumes in the animal kingdom have evolved. Colouration and the kind of plumage presented is closely related to age (natural down, juvenile or adult plumage), sex (nuptial or hen’s plumage) or behaviour, e.g. camouflage (with seasonal changes in many species), mating behaviour, aggression in territorial defense.

Keywords

  • Structural Colour
  • Interference Colour
  • Melanin Granule
  • Preen Gland
  • Diffuse Pigment

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medizinische Biologie, Department of Pathology, University of Basle, CH-4003, Basle, Switzerland

    Heinz Durrer

Authors
  1. Heinz Durrer
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kinematische Zellforschung, Fachbereich Biologie der Universität, Postfach 11 19 32, D-6000, Frankfurt a.M., Germany

    Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bereiter-Hahn

  2. Department of Dermatology, Boston University School of Medicine, 80 East Concord Street, 02118, Boston, MA, USA

    Prof. Dr. A. Gedeon Matoltsy

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Keele, ST5 5BG, Keele, Staffordshire, GB

    Dr. K. Sylvia Richards

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© 1986 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Durrer, H. (1986). Colouration. In: Bereiter-Hahn, J., Matoltsy, A.G., Richards, K.S. (eds) Biology of the Integument. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-00989-5_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-00989-5_12

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