Ultraviolet colour perception in European starlings and Japanese quail
Whereas humans have three types of cone photoreceptor, birds have four types of single cones and, unlike humans, are sensitive to ultraviolet light (UV, 320-400 nm). Most birds are thought to have either a violet-sensitive single cone that has some sensitivity to UV wavelengths (for example, many non-passerine species) or a single cone that has […]
Behavioural and physiological effects of absence of ultraviolet wavelengths for domestic chicks
It is increasingly clear that ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths are a component of normal avian colour perception and influence their behaviour. As artificial lighting is designed to human specifications, and so is usually deficient in UV light, there may be welfare implications for captive birds, with both context-dependent and chronic long-term effects in its absence. Domestic […]
Effect of supplementary ultraviolet lighting on the behaviour and corticosterone levels of Japanese quail chicks
Most birds have visual sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, and this sensitivity appears to play a role in their colour vision. Artificial lighting is normally deficient in UV wavelengths. Hence, there may be welfare implications for captive birds kept under such lighting. We investigated whether the absence of UV wavelengths during rearing adversely affects Japanese […]
Studies on UV reflection in feathers of some 1000 bird species: are UV peaks in feathers correlated with violet-sensitive and ultraviolet-sensitive cones?
Nine hundred and sixty-eight bird species, covering all orders, were studied in search of distinctive ultraviolet reflections. All species in the following orders were completely surveyed: Struthioniformes, Tinamiformes, Craciformes, Turniciformes, Galbuliformes, Upupiformes, Coliiformes, Apodiformes and Musophagiformes. The coloured plumage regions in particular exhibited high proportions of UV-reflecting feathers. Bird orders with species which are believed […]
Ultraviolet vision in birds: a review
The ability to perceive the near ultraviolet part of the light spectrum (the wavelength 320–400 nm) has been detected in many bird species. This ability is an important bird sense. The ecological importance of UV perception has been studied mainly in the context of intra- and inter-sexual signalling, common species communi-cation and also in foraging. […]
Effects of ultraviolet radiation on amphibians field experiments
Numerous reports suggest that populations of amphibians from a wide variety of locations are experiencing population declines and/or range reductions. In some cases, unusually high egg mortality has been reported. Field experiments have been used with increasing frequency to investigate ultraviolet radiation as one of the potential factors contributing to these declines. Results from field […]