Red Pigment of the Male House Finch

From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region:

The male house finch’s red pigment comes from food eaten while molting. Wild food sources like mulberries and other plants high in carotenoids help make redder males who tend to have more success mating.

Photo: House finch courtesy of Mark Moschell/Creative Commons.https://flic.kr/p/PRA56E




12-20-16

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