Birds: Feather Color Is More Than Skin Deep
April 15, 2009
Where do birds get their red feathers from? According to Esther del Val, from the National History Museum in Barcelona, Spain, and her team, the red carotenoids that give the common crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) its red coloration are produced in the liver, not the skin, as previously thought.
Their findings, published online in Springer’s journal Naturwissenschaften, have implications for understanding the evolution of color signaling in bird species.
Carotenoids have important physiological functions, including antioxidant, immunomodulating, and photoprotectant properties. Carotenoid pigments are also used by many bird species as colorants, and are responsible for most of their red, orange and yellow coloration. In particular, carotenoid-red coloration in birds has been shown to act as an ornament, signaling the nutritional and health status of the individual and its ability to locate high quality resources. Recent studies have suggested that the transformation of carotenoid pigments takes place directly in the follicles during feather growth.
Del Val and her team show for the first time that, contrary to previous assumptions, the liver acts as the main site for the synthesis of carotenoids responsible for the birds’ coloration, not the skin.
The researchers examined the carotenoid content of the liver, blood, skin and feathers of seven common crossbills (finches) in which adult males display carotenoid-based coloration on the throat, breast and rump. They were particularly interested in the anatomical origin of the birds’ red plumage. They found the primary red feather pigment of male crossbills in the birds’ liver and blood, implying that the carotenoids are synthesized in the liver and then travel to the peripheral tissues via the bloodstream.
Del Val concludes: “This surprising divergence with previous studies raises the question whether there are inter-specific differences in anatomical sites for conversion of carotenoids. Understanding inter-specific variation in mechanisms of color production may be the key to comprehend the different evolutionary pathways involved in color signaling.”
It was thought that a bird gets it red color from its skin, but it really gets its red color from its liver. It also provides the orange, and yellow color. The reserchers found the primary red feather pigment in the male’s liver and blood.Understanding this may be the key comprehend the unique evoltionary paths involved in color.
Recent research has shown that birds red feathers come from red carotenoids that are produced in the liver. Previously, it was thought that the carotenoids were produced in the skin. Researchers studied the carotenoid content of the liver, blood, skin, and feathers of seven different finches. They found the primary red feather pigment in the liver and blood supporting the fact that the carotenoids are synthesized in the liver and travel to the feathers through the blood stream. this surprising conclusion will be helpful in understanding different evolutionary pathways involved in color signaling.
1. A Lady named Esther del Val and her team the birds coloring of the feathers is produced in the liver.
2. Carotenoid pigments are used by many bird species as colorants and they make most of the reds, oranges, and yellows in the feathers.
3. Carotenoid-red coloration in birds has been shown to be ornimont showing the nutritional and health status of it and its ability to locate high quality resorces.
4.Researchers examined the carotenoid content of the blood,liver,skin and feathers of seven common crossbills in which adult males display carotenoid-based coloration on the throat, runmp and breast.
5.Reserchers found the primary red feather pigment of male crossbills in the birds’ liver and blood, showing that the carotenoids are synthesized in the liver and then travel to the tissues in the birds bloodstream.
In this article I learned about how birds get their red feather coloring. It was originally thought that birds got the red color from their skin. A scientist from the National History Museum in Barcelona, Spain, recently discovered that the color came from the liver. Tiny things called carotenoids, which make the feathers red are produced inside the liver. The scientist and her team showed, in their research, that the liver acts as the main area for the synthesis of carotenoids. This article was very interesting and i learned a lot from it.
In this article, I learned that there is evidence that the color production in crossbills originates in the liver, not the skin. The researchers found this out by examining the birds’ liver, blood, skin, and feathers. The primary red feather pigment was found in the liver and blood. This shows that the carotenoids originate in the liver and then travel by bloodstream to the birds’ tissues.
Bird’s colored feathers are produced from their liver and not their skin.
Carotenoid pigments are used by birds as feather colorants.
The transformation of the pigments take place in the follicles during growth.
1. Its red color comes from the liver not the skin. 2. Carotenoids pigments are also used by many bird species. 3. Carotenoids are also responsible for most of the red, orange, and yellow. 4. Carotenoids red coloration in birds has been shown to act as an ornament. 5. The transformation of carotenoid pigments takes place directly in the follicles during feather growth.
1.Birds get red feathers from the coloration of the liver.
2.The liver acts as the main site for the synthesis of carotenoids responsible for the birds.
3.The adult males display carotenoids-based coloration on the throat, breast and rump.
4.Birds dont turn red cause of the feathers.
5.People study birds alot.
1. It was thought that the color of a birds feather was made by the liver and not from the skin.
2. From recent studies it was shown that when the carotenoid pigments are transforming it takes place durectly in the follicles during the growth of its feathers.
3. There are many funtions of a carotenoid including; antioxodents, immunomodulating, and photoprocent properties.
4. Health status and nutrition is signaled by the coloration of birds.
5. The liver is the main site of carotenoids body at which coloration happens.
Red coloration come from the liver.
A team of scientists discovered that the color of a bird comes from the liver.
Its like an ornament telling you its nutrition and health status
Takes place in hair follicles during birth
colored pigments are used in many bird species.
1.Birds get their red feathers from red carotenoids that give the common crossbill its red coloration are produced in the liver, not the skin.
2.Carotenoids have important physiological functions, including antioxidant, immunomodulating, and photoprotectant properties.
3.Carotenoid pigments are used by many bird species as colorants, and are responsible for most of their red, orange and yellow coloration.
4.In particular, carotenoid-red coloration in birds has been shown to act as an ornament, signaling the nutritional and health status of the individual and its ability to locate high quality resources.
5.The primary red feather pigment of male crossbills in the birds’ liver and blood, implying that the carotenoids are synthesized in the liver and then travel to the peripheral tissues via the bloodstream.
If you ever thought about where birds get their red feathers from unlike me, i’m sure u’ll be suprised to find out that it’s not made from the skin. If your someone like me you could care less and think thier just made that way. But even I was suprised to find out that the coloring is actualy made from the liver, go figure. Recently Esther del Val from the National History Museum in Barcelona, Spain, and her team, the red carotenoids that give the common crossbill (is the easy name) (Loxia curvirostra, for science people ) its red coloration are produced in the liver, not the skin, as thought before. Specificly, carotenoid-red coloration in birds has been shown to act as an ornament, signaling the nutritional and health status of the bird and its ability to locate high quality resources.
The national history musuem in Spain said a bird called carotenoids are produced in the liver not the skin. A second fact about the carotenoids is that they have important functions like antioxidant and photoprotectant properties.
Another thing about carotenoids is that researchers found the primary red feather pigment of male crossbills in the bird’s liver. Whats interesting about carotenoids
is that in recent studies have suggested that the transformation of cartenoid pigments take place during feather growth. One last thing about cartenoids is that cartenoid red coloration in birds hass been shown to act as an ornament, signaling the nutritinal and health status of the individual and its ability to locate high quality resources.
HOW DO BRIDS GET THEY FEATHERS BY DOING WAHT TO GET THEM . WHEN DO BABIES BRIDS LERAN HOW TO FLY .
In this article I learned birds colors are produced in the liver, not the skin. I also learned that carotenoid pigments take place directly in the follicies durinq feather qrowth. Another thinq i learned that the red color in the bird shows their nutrition and health. Cartenoids are synthesized in the liver and then travel to the peripheral tissues via the bloodstream. I learned alot from this article.
1.Birds feather comes from their Liver and not their skin.
2.Carotenoid pigments are responsible for red, yellow and Orange coloration.
3.The transformation of carotenoid pigments happens in the folicles during feather development.
4. You can tell the nutrition and health status of a bird by its coloration.
5. Adult male birds display carotenoid-based coloration on the throat, breast and rump.
There are a lot of things that I did not know about birds until I read this article. According to this, birds get the color of their feathers from their liver and what they eat. If a bird eats very healthy diet they will have very colorful feathers, but when they don’t their feathers get very dull. The birds liver acts as the main site for the synthesis of coloration, not the skin.
1. I have learn that they got the red color from their liver.
2. There feathers grow dark when the get older.
1. birds get there red fethers from there liver not there skin.
2. carotenoid pigmets change birds fethers to red, orange, or yellow
3. the liver is responsible for the sinthesis of caronoid pigments for the birds colors.
4. reserchers looked at the birds carotenoid content of there liver, skin, blood, and fethers of seven different finches in which adult males show carotenoid based colors on the throat, breast and rump.
5. scientist conclude that inter specific pattern of color production may be the key to comprehend the different evolutionary pathways involved in color signaling.
In this article I found out something about birds I never knew. It was thought that a bird gets it red color from the skin. Recent studies have proven the red color comes from the liver and blood. Very small things called carotenoids, which make the feathers red, are produced inside the birds liver. This shows that the cartenoids originate in the liver and than travel by bloodstream to the birds tisue. I leared alot from this article and it was very interesting.
Recent research has shown that birds with red feathers come from red carotenoids that are produced in the liver. Before, it was thought that the carotenoids were produced in the skin. They found the primary red feather pigment in the liver and blood supporting the fact that the carotenoids are synthesized in the liver and travel to the feathers through the blood stream. The only question whether there are inter-specific differences in anatomical sites for conversion of carotenoids.
1) The color in the feathers comes from the liver.
2) Cartenoid pigments are in other birds too.
3) Cartenoids make the orange, red, and yellow.
4) The red cartenoids acts like an ornament
5) The transformation of cartenoid pigment takes place in the follicles during feather growth
1.Its red coloration is produced in the liver.
2.Its physiological functions are antioxidant and photoprotectent.
3.Carotenoids are also responsible for most of the red, orange, and yellow. 4.Carotenoids red coloration in birds has been shown to act as an ornament.
5.De Val also said “This surprising divergence with previous studies raises the question whether there are inter-specific differences in anatomical sites for conversion of carotenoids.”
Recent research has shown that birds red feathers come from red carotenoids that are produced in the liver. They did think that the carotenoids we produced from the skin, but it isn’t. The researchers examined the carotenoid content of the liver, blood, skin and feathers of seven common finches. They found the primary red feather pigment in the birds liver and blood, implying that the carotenoids are synthesized in the liver and then travel to the bloodstream. That is how birds get their feathers.
In this article, I learned that there is evidence that the color production in crossbills originates in the liver, not the skin. The researchers found this out by examining the birds’ liver, blood, skin, and feathers.Tiny things called carotenoids, which make the feathers red are produced inside the liver. The scientist and her team showed, in their research, that the liver acts as the main area for the synthesis of carotenoids.This shows that the carotenoids originate in the liver and then travel by bloodstream to the birds’ tissues
. Carotenoids pigments are also used by many bird species.
. Carotenoids are also responsible for most of the red, orange, and yellow
.the red coloration comes from liver not skin
.carotrenoids are synthasized in the liver
How does the liver make the birds distinct coloring.
Esther de Val, has recently discovered that birds get red coloring in the feathers from red carotenoids that are formed in the liver. Before this was found, researchers thought the color came from the skin of the birds. Also scientists have discovered that carotenoids also produce yellow and orange. They found the red color pigment in the liver and blood. This new discovery is helpful in many future discoveries.
This artical is about where birds get their feather’s color.
~Esther del Val and her team have implications for understanding the evolution of color signaling in bird species.
~They show for the first time that the liver acts as the main site for the synthesis of carotenoids responsible for the birds’ coloration (not the skin).
~The team examined the carotenoid content of the liver, blood, skin and feathers of seven common crossbills in which adult males display carotenoid-based coloration on the throat, chest, and rump.
~They found the primary red feather pigment of male crossbills in the birds’ liver and blood, implying that the carotenoids are synthesized in the liver and then travel to the peripheral tissues through the bloodstream.
~In conclusion, the birds’ feather color comes from the liver, not the skin.
Birds get their red feathers from a ged coloration its produced in the liver,not the skin. People used to think it was made in the skin. Cateniod pigments are also used by many bird species as colorants,& are responsible for most of their of their color.Recent studies studies have shown the transformation of coarniod figments take plcae during feather growth.The cartenoids are synthizes in the liver & then travels up to the blood stream.
8-30-09
In this article i learned that the color tone in feathers is not produced from the skin, but is from the liver. Researchers found out by doing various tests on the average crossbill’s liver, blood skin and feathers. In their resarch they found small things called cartenoids which are created inside the liver. They are most responsible for the red, yellow and orange feather colors. It is conluded that the liver is responsible for bird plumadge color, and not the skin.
1.Birds get their feather coloring from their liver and not their skin.
2.Carotenoids are used by many birds that make most of the red,orange,and yellow coloring.
3.Carotendoid red coloration acts as an ornament,signaling the nutritional and health status of it and its ability to locte high quality resources.
4.Researchers examined their blood,liver,skin,and feathers.
5.They found primary red feather pigment of male crossbills in the birds liver and blood.
1. The red coloration of the birds feathers are produced from thier liver.
2.Carotenoids have many important physiological functions.
3.Carotenoid pigments are used by many types of birds as colorants.
4. Coloration is signaled by the health and nutrition of the bird.
5.I like this artical because it taught me things about birds that i have never heard before.
THIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT A BIRD THATS GETS THERE FEATHERS FROM NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM IN BARCELONA AND SPAIN SPECIES OR RESPONSIBLE FOR THERE YELLOW ORANGE AND RED COLORATION THE LIVER THE BLOOD AND SKIN FEATHERS SEVEN COMMON CROSSBILLS.
the red coloration of the birds feathers are produced from their liver.
pigments are in other birds too.
coloration is signaled by the health and neutrition of the bird.
this is a species from spain.
there feathers get darker when they are colder.
1. Birds get their Feather color from their liver not the skin
2.The Liver can also Orange color and Yellow color
3.The Natural History Center in Barcalona Recently discoverd this
4.Nutrition is signaled by the color of birds.
5.Del Val Was major Reashercher in this Experiment
The cartenoids that give the common crossbill its red color are produced in the liver, not the skin. Carotenoids have important functions like antioxidant, immunomodulating, and photoprotectant functions. Carteniod pigments give many bird species the red, orange, and yellow coloration. The cartenoid red coloration signals the nutritional and health status of the bird and its ability to lacate high quality resources. Adult males have cartenoid-based coloration on the throat, chest, and rump.
Newly discovered that birds get their plumage coloration from their liver not the skin. The carotene in the liver and blood stream help mark how healthy the bird is through the birds plumage, which is usually red or yellow. It is found that if the bird has red feathers the color and carotene are from the liver and carried through the blood stream to the feathers. This process happens during the growth of the birds plumage. Knowing this may be the key to comprehending the other color variations in a birds feathers.
1) Bird’s feather color comes from there liver
2) Carotenoids have important physiological functions
3) Carotenoid pigments are also used by many bird species
4) The liver acts as the main site for the synthesis of carotenoids responsible for the birds’ coloration, not the skin
The color of a birds wings is from their liver.
the birds different color is from cartenoid pigment
carontenoid red cloration in birds signal the health and nutrition
the transformation cartenoid pigment takes place in the follicules
i think it is pretty cool that birds get there feathers from there liver
1.Some birds get their colors from their liver. 2.Carotenoids have important physiological functions
3.Nutrition is signaled by the color of birds.
4.Carotenoids pigments are also used by many bird species.
5.The liver acts as the main site for the synthesis of carotenoids responsible for the birds’ coloration, not the skin
In this passage it says that Del Val was a major researcher in the bird plumage experiment. Its been originally thought that the birds plumage color is just from the skin, but really researchers found out that its from the liver. Its so because of Carotenoid pigments are cells found in most birds liver and carotenoids have physiological functions that’s how they produce the plumage’s colors.If birds eat a healthy diet it will make the liver healthy and the plumage will be colorful. Carotenoid red cloration in a bird shows health and nutrition.
Did you ever wonder how a bird gets its feather’s color? Its color is produced in the liver, not the skin, as previously thought. That sounds a little nasty but o well.
It is produced by carotenoid pigments. Recent studies hav shown that it is produced directly in the feather folicles.
This article is about birds: feather color is more deep than skin deep. Red carotenoids get their color from the liver, not the skin. These birds have antioxidant, photoprotectant, and immunomodulating traits. Cartenoid pigments are used in several birds as colorants, and are the reason for most of their yellow, red, and orange color. Research shows that the liver provides synthesis of carotenoids accountable for the color, and not the birds’ skin. The original red feather color has been found in the liver and blood of the male crossbill, which may mean that the pigment is made in the liver and travels through the blood to other places.
Red Carotenoids give the common crossbill its coloration.
Carotenoids have physiological functions.
Researchers or scientists examined the content of the liver, blood, skin, and feathers of seven common crossbills.
The liver acts as the main site for the synthesis.
Carotenoid pigments are used by many bird species.
1.Red coloration are produced in by the liver.
2.Carotenoid pigments are used by many bird species.
3.The colorants are responsible for most of their red, orange and yellow coloration.
4.The transformation of carotenoid pigments takes place directly in the follicles.
5.The liver is the main source of cartonieds.
1.) The color of the feathers of birds are from their livers not their skin like scientists thought.
2.) Carentanoid Pigments are used by many birds for color for their feathers.
3.) Carentanoid Pigments are also reasbonsible for the red, orange, and yellow feathers of birds.
4) Studies have proved the transformation of carentanoid pigments takes place in the follicles during growth of feathers.
5.) Scientists findings have implications for understanding the color sigling of feathers.
1. Reasearchers studied the carotenoid content of the liver, blood, skin, and feathers of seven different finches.
2. Bird’s colored feathers are produced from their liver, not their skin.
3. The transformation of the pigments take place in the follicles during growth.
4. Cartenoids pigments are also used by many bird species.
5. Coloration is signaled by the health and nutrition of the bird.
1).Its red coloration are produced in the liver.
2).The liver acts for the synthesis of carotenoids responsible for the birds coloration, not the skin.
3).There color may be based on nutrition and health.
4).The color of the bird may change the older it gets.
5).The adult males birds have carotenoid-based coloration on the throat, breast , and rump.
Have you ever wondered where birds get their red feathers? Well if you guessed from their skin you’re wrong. Their red feathers actually come from their liver. The feather colors also come from carotenoid pigments. These are mostly responsible for the yellow and oranges. Researchers say that in the male colors also come from the blood. I hope you learned some things about why bird’s feathers have the red, yellow, and orange colors.
1.the feathers tell how healthy he is.
2.the feathers come from the liver
3.The males pigmet is seen on its liver
4.The color shows the signal.
5.Mostly to the crossbill bird.
1.birds get there red feathers from there liver
2.a baby birds color can tell you its health
3.a birds color changes when it gets older
1. birds get most of thier color form thier liver.
2. the color of thier feathers determins how old they get.
3. scientist are very intrested what makes the red plomage
4. del val, was a major reashercher in this Experiment!
5. the colder the bird get the darker thier feather’s get.
1.Bird’s feather color comes from there liver.
2.The liver acts for the synthesis of carotenoids responsible for the birds coloration, not the skin.
3.There color may be based on nutrition and health.
4.Studies have proved the transformation of carentanoid pigments takes place in the follicles during growth of feathers.
5.Coloration is signaled by the health and nutrition of the bird.
1.Caroteniods have functions physiological functions, including antioxidants, immunomodulating, and photoprotectant properties.
2.Carotenoids pigments are also used by many bird species as colorants, and are responsible for most of thier red, orande and yellow coloration.
3.Recent studies have sugested that the transformation of colorenoid pigments takes place directly in the follicles during feather growth.
4.They were particularly interested in the antatomical origin of the birds’ red plumage.
5.Understanding inter-specific variation im mechanisms of color production mat be the key to comprehend the different evolutionary pathways envoled the color signaling.
It is a theroy that the red carotenoid’s feather color comes from the liver and not the skin. It also makesred, orange and yellow coloration depending the their health status. These birds have important physiological functionsthat include: antioxidant, immunomodulating, and photoprotectant properties. Studies have suggested that the transformation of carotenoid pigments takes place in the follicles during their feather growth. The liver, blood, skin and feathers have seven common crossbills in which adult males display carotenoid-based coloration on the throat, breast and rump.
Article Summary for November 16, 2009
~ Birds get the color from there liver not there skin.
~ Carotenoids have important physiological functions.
~ The Natural History Center in Barcalona recently discovered of the bird.
~ Coloration is signaled by the health and nutrition of the bird.
~ Researchers examined their blood, liver, skin, and feathers.
1.Birds dont get the color of thier feathers from their skin.
2. Birds get the color of their feathers from the liver.
3.The liver acts for the synthesis of carotenoids responsible for the birds coloration, not the skin.
4.Carotenoids have important physiological functions.
5.Carotenoid pigments are also used by many bird species as colorants
the red coloring of a birds feathers are from its liver
the primary red feather pigment of male crossbills is in the liver and blood
when the bird is a baby its color can tel you its health
its color changes as it gets older
cartenoid pigments are used many bird specicies
birds skin is not the same color as the feathers.
the red feather color comes from the liver.
the birds color changes as the bird gets older.
the males pigment is seen on its liver.
the color of the bird determines the nutrition of the bird.
Feathers show how healthy they are.
The birds skin isn’t the same color as their feathers.
As the bird gets older its color changes.
They get their color from its liver.
You can tell how old they are by their feathers.
researchers examined the liver skin and feathers
their color soon change
birds get their color from their liver
Del val was the researcher
they discovered that the liver was the main side
It is thought that birds get there red feathers from there skin. Recent studies have suggested that the transformation of carotenoid pigments takes place directly in the follicles during feather growth. The liver acts as the main site for the synthesis of carotenoids responsible for the birds’ coloration, not the skin.
Carotenoids have important physiological functions: antioxidant, immunomodulating, and photoprotectant properties. Adult males display carotenoid-based coloration on the throat, breast and rump.
1. A Lady named Esther del Val and her team the birds coloring of the feathers is produced in the liver.
2. Carotenoid pigments are used by many bird species as colorants and they make most of the reds, oranges, and yellows in the feathers.
3. Carotenoid-red coloration in birds has been shown to be ornimont showing the nutritional and health status of it and its ability to locate high quality resorces.
4.Researchers examined the carotenoid content of the blood,liver,skin and feathers of seven common crossbills in which adult males display carotenoid-based coloration on the throat, runmp and breast.
5.Reserchers found the primary red feather pigment of male crossbills in the birds’ liver and blood, showing that the carotenoids are synthesized in the liver and then travel to the tissues in the birds bloodstream.