Re: Figbird Face colouration

[Ronald Orenstein <>]

>Colour changes in birds' bare facial skin can be rapid, changing
>according to emotional state - Comb-crested Jacana can change from red
>to pale yellowish; Regent Honeyeater is suspected of this too. I'm sure
>there are other Australian species which do this.
>(Related maybe to erectile wattles of amazing colour in Tragopans and
>other pheasants?)  ANTHEA FLEMING

Not quite an Australian species, but the Smoky Honeyeater (Melipotes
fumigatus) of New Guinea  shows striking colour changes in the large bare
area of skin on the side of its face, from yellow to quite reddish.  Both
extremes are illustrated in the Beehler et al. Birds of New Guinea. I would
imagine that the two other Melipotes species (which are less well-known) do
the same.

--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
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