color

The Scientist interviews evolutionary biologist Carles Vilà about how a large genomic inversion detected in common quail affects the birds’ physical characteristics and migratory behaviors.

A new study suggests that lighter colors may help these species stay cool on their long journeys, when birds are pushing themselves to their physiological limits.

The roundworm uses cues from visible light to help avoid eating toxic bacteria with a distinguishing hue.

The gene BCO2 enables male and female members of some bird species to display dramatically different color patterns.

In some finch species, the difference between colorful males and muted females comes down to one gene, BCO2, which encodes an enzyme that degrades carotenoids.

Distantly related, lookalike Heliconius species arrive at the same appearance using the same few genes, but regulated differently, according to recent studies.

Scientists uncover a potential reason why redder house finches have better health.

New research shows how they get their deep hue.

Female zebra finches prefer red-beaked male finches over their orange-beaked counterparts.

Despite containing similar chemical pigments, red and yellow parrot feathers display distinct hues.

Scientists engineered biomaterials similar to those chameleons use to change color and applied them to a robot.

In an unusual evolutionary twist, local stick spiders have come up with an almost identical repertoire of color morphs in multiple locations.

Artificial photoreceptors made of nanowires help restore blind animals’ sensitivity to light.

Scientists explore why male peacock spiders are so colorful. 

Newton’s rainbow forms the familiar ROYGBIV because he thought the range of visible colors should be analogous to the seven-note musical scale.

When imprinted on toy blocks, the young birds gravitate toward new toys that are the same shape or color as the originals, according to a study.

Researchers confirm that some microscopic imprints in fossilized dinosaur feathers are pockets of melanin.

By taking cues from bird feathers, scientists engineer nanoparticle structures that produce striking colors.

An analysis of modern birds reveals that carotenoid-based plumage coloring arose several times throughout their evolutionary history, dating as far back as 66 million years ago.