Can birds see colours?
This week I had an interesting question from a reader: Can birds see colours?
She also asked what colour flowers birds are most attracted to. This is a fascinating topic, one I am far from qualified to answer in full.
Yes birds can see colours – in fact, they can see colours far more intensely than humans. Scientists have only recently discovered the vast range of colours that birds can see, and most are completely beyond what humans can see or imagine. The reason for this is that humans have three cone cells in the retina while birds have four cones. In real terms, one could say that humans are virtually “colour blind” compared to birds.
For a good discussion on this topic go here:
http://www.csulb.edu/labs/bcl/elab/avian%20vision_intro.pdf
As far as what colour flowers birds are most attracted to, there is no simple answer. In my very limited understanding of the topic, birds are attracted more to the ultraviolet patterns on flowers rather than the colour that we see in our limited range of perception.
This is a vast and interesting topic. Thanks to Emilie for asking the question.
Rainbow Lorikeet
Good bird photos
Photography seems to run in the family. My wife takes photos of plants and flowers, I take photos of scenery, birds, animals and flowers, my daughter takes photos of people and places and my son takes photos of scenery, buildings, animals and now has a growing interest in birds.
In recent times he has added some interesting new equipment to his camera gear. This has enabled him to take some great photos. Here are some links to some recent great shots.
- Munro Park – including shots of a White-faced Heron catching a fish.
- Taronga Park Zoo – including a wonderful photo of a Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
- Lane Cove National Park for lunch – this features an amazing photo of a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and another of the back of my head (not together).
Birding is a great hobby
Rainbow Lorikeet
Birding is a very cheap and relaxing hobby. You can pursue it almost anywhere . I once made a list of birds seen in church – through a nearby window – go figure. I’ve also made a list of birds heard while still in bed (while camping). I’ve even made lists of birds heard while sitting on the toilet.
You could say I’m a little obsessed.
As for being a cheap hobby, you don’t need any special equipment. Sure – you can buy expensive field guides and handbooks. The Handbook of Aussie birds (7 volumes) will set one back over $3000. Binoculars can cost from $125 to many thousands of dollars. Camera gear and travel can add considerably to costs – I spent over $6000 a few years ago to see and handful of species new to me on the slopes of Mt Everest (read about that on my travel blog).
But birding can be as cheap as looking out of the window to see a beautiful finch or wren hopping around the garden.
The hobby is whatever you want to make it.
If birding appeals to you can I suggest reading my series called How to be a Birder?
Bird by bird
There are many beautiful and fascinating birding blogs getting around these days. I cannot hope to keep up with them all.
Every now and then I come across one with a difference, a blog that is an unusual take on a common theme. Bird by Bird: sketching a bird a day, one at a time is one such blog. The author doesn’t take photos of birds like so many other bird bloggers. Instead, the birds are sketched, and the artwork is shown on the blog pages.
Beautiful.
Well worth a visit.
A Guide to the Birds of East Africa: a review
Now for something completely different.
Over Christmas and New Year I read a book called A Guide to the Birds of East Africa: a novel written by Australian author Nicholas Drayson.
A a first glance at the front cover you might be forgiven for thinking that this is just another field guide, albeit to a part of the world with a wonderfully rich and diverse bird life. Look again. The two innocent words a novel at the end of the title bring a whole new perspective to the book.
The novel is a story of intrigue, excitement, adventure, mystery, crime and with a light touch of romance. Actually, the whole premise has romance as its basis. Not soppy romance, mind you, but the driving force of the main character and his protagonist is their love for another bird watcher.
Mr. Malik is quiet, reserved and polite in the extreme. He is not the one to ruffle any feathers, ornithological or human. But his heart holds a secret passion; he is deeply in love with Rose Mbikwa, leader of the Tuesday-morning bird walk of the East African Ornithological Society.
Mr. Malik secretly plans to ask Rose to the annual Hunt Ball. Harry Khan, a ghost from Mr. Malik’s past sweeps back into his life, and he too has Rose in his plans. When Mr. Malik unwisely blurts out his feelings at their club, a wager is arranged. Whoever sees the most birds in a week will be the one to ask Rose to the ball.
The chase is on, but not without the inevitable hindrances, intrigue, mystery and complications over interpretations of The Rules. Many birds are seen and woven seamlessly into the story which rollicks along to a satisfying conclusion.
Highly recommended.
Reference:
Drayson, N., 2008, A Guide to the Birds of East Africa: a novel. London, Penguin
Book cover: A Guide to the Birds of East Africa: a novel