Posted January 30, 200718 yr Hi everyone, My partner and I are both researchers and recently we came across this paper which was published in Science (a very reputable journal by the way!) KE Arnold, IPF Owens and NJ Marshall 2002 Fluorescent signaling in parrots. Science. 295:92-93 I thought some of the readers of this post may be interested in it! You may or may not know that the feathers on budgies' crown and cheeks are fluorescent. Researchers have known this for a while but until this paper- didn't know WHY. So in this study, they found out that the fluorescence makes budgies more attractive to the opposite sex. How did they find this? they put some sunscreen onto some budgies (sunscreen blocks UV which excites "fluorescence" so putting it on blocks the fluoro effect) - and found that the budgies with suncream on them were a less popular mate choice! cute research, huh?
January 30, 200718 yr I've done some budgie research over the years too. If you inject the female budgies with testosterone, apparently they also warble just as much as the males. Hi everyone, My partner and I are both researchers and recently we came across this paper which was published in Science (a very reputable journal by the way!) KE Arnold, IPF Owens and NJ Marshall 2002 Fluorescent signaling in parrots. Science. 295:92-93 I thought some of the readers of this post may be interested in it! You may or may not know that the feathers on budgies' crown and cheeks are fluorescent. Researchers have known this for a while but until this paper- didn't know WHY. So in this study, they found out that the fluorescence makes budgies more attractive to the opposite sex. How did they find this? they put some sunscreen onto some budgies (sunscreen blocks UV which excites "fluorescence" so putting it on blocks the fluoro effect) - and found that the budgies with suncream on them were a less popular mate choice! cute research, huh?
January 31, 200718 yr I've done some budgie research over the years too. If you inject the female budgies with testosterone, apparently they also warble just as much as the males. Or if they like to imitate and they live with a warbly male long enough. *L* Baby warbles just like Cupid now and she'll sit and sing forever too! Or at least it *feels* like forever *(Laughing out loud)*
January 31, 200718 yr cheeks are fluorescent Very interesting, thanks for that. It explains why so many budgies have such a beautiful irridescent glow. Feathers.
January 31, 200718 yr Everybody (budgiewise) sings at my house, makes no difference between the sexes but the males are more melodic.
February 1, 200718 yr The fluorescent cheeks would explain how I was able to see my daughter's albino's cheek patches today. They are a brighter white than the rest of her. Feathers.
June 4, 200718 yr Have a look at this for some picture's and a little info. http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/2002/archives/2002?p=821
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now