Re: Black and Peid HE's

[(Andrew Taylor)]

On Wed, Dec 03, 2003 at 01:15:06PM +1100,  wrote:
>    "Its funny how both Pied and Black Honeyeaters are common to arid
>    areas, when both birds plumage is prodominantly black and would
>    attract the heat."
>    Can anyone elaborate on the reason why a  bird would evolve with black
>    plumage in arid areas?


In still conditions black plumage can result in a signifiantly higher
incoming heat flux than white plumage.  The situation can change when
wind is present and black plumage, particularly if fluffed, may be cooler.

As I understand it this because more of radiation is absorbed at the
outside of the plumage where it lost to confection.

If you want to know more try this paper:
http://www.unm.edu/~wolf/pdf/ASZ2000feathers.pdf

Andrew

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