And God created them male and female...birds.

[birdguy 3,943]

Why are the male species of birds so much more colorful than the drab females?  Except for the raptors and a few other species the females are a drab brown while the males have more, or a lot more, color to them.  Here is an example from the duck world.  These are pairs of the more common ducks we see wintering at the Bitter Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

1 - The American Widgeon

2 - A pair of Buffleheads

3 - Cinnamon Teals

4 - Mallards

5 - This pair of Northern Shovelers has a juvenile male with them.  The large beak they are named for are used to root up vegetation and aquatic insects from the bottom pf lakes and ponds.

6 - A pair of ring-necked ducks

7 - The Wood Duck male is one of the most colorful of ducks.  It's feathers are prized by fly fishermen who tie their own flies.  Very similar to the male Mandarin Duck.

 

Noel

Edited March 6, 2021 by birdguy

[martin-w 3,234]

Its not always the case though is it? Quite often the female birds are the fancy colourful ones. I think its just the everyday common birds you see in the garden that are more colourful if male. 

Not that I'm an ornithologist, in fact I haven't a clue what I'm talking about. 😃

 

 

[birdguy 3,943]

No not always the case Martin.  But the Male Redwing Blackbird is all black with a red blaze on the root of the wing and female is drab brown.  Likewise the Great-Tail Grackle is all black but the female is plain brown.

Noel

[TuFun 426]

Natures Camouflage maybe since mom can hide the little ducklings.

[Bert Pieke 7,584]

1 hour ago, TuFun said:

Natures Camouflage maybe since mom can hide the little ducklings.

Would make sense... Mom hides the little ones while Dad detracts the predator away from the nest.. 😉

[W2DR 1,859]

Actually I think Dad is more interested in attracting Mom and warding off the competition.

[goates 576]

9 hours ago, birdguy said:

Why are the male species of birds so much more colorful than the drab females? 

Pretty sure it's mostly about attracting a mate.

And to tie in your thread about musicals and dancing, check out the Birds of Paradise from Papua New Guinea and Australia.

 

 

[birdguy 3,943]

I've seen several episodes about Birds of Paradise in Nature shows.  They are certainly unique in their plumage and dancing.  I love to watch them.

Noel 

[Fielder 3,644]

The Marx brothers wanted to make them into soup 😲

 

[Swe_Richard 1,172]

Well, I guess the reason why the boy-birds look so good is that the female chooses from the males that looks the most colorful, strong and healthy. Just about the same for us humans. 

I really like them wittle birbs, though. Gorgeous creatures. 

EDIT: I failed at showing a picture. Removed link.

Edited March 7, 2021 by Swe_Richard

[birdguy 3,943]

12 hours ago, Fielder said:

The Marx brothers wanted to make them into soup

After they're roasted the bones and carcass can be boiled for duck broth, although turkey is better.

Noel