If you like watching the birds from your rattan garden furniture, you will know that a key part of the appeal is their different colourings.
They add beauty to the garden and help us to distinguish between different species. What about the birds themselves though – can they see in colour?
The simple answer to that question is that they can see in colour. In fact, birds have more subtle and sophisticated colour perception than we do.
Human beings have three colour cones – or receptors – in each eye. These enable us to perceive blue, green and red. On the other hand, birds have four of those receptors. This lets them perceive those three hues but also ultraviolet light. The result is an ability to detect colour contrasts that humans cannot.
What effect does this have on them?
This sensitivity to ultraviolet light and colours is useful to birds in several ways. It helps them when choosing mates, because ultraviolet light is reflected by their feathers. The brighter that reflection is, the healthier the bird is.
It also helps them to find natural sources of food, because fruits and insects often reflect ultraviolet light. This increases their visibility to birds when they are in the air or on the ground.
The final way in which colour sensitivity benefits birds is when it comes to defending their territories. Male birds usually have brighter coloured feathers and they use them as a sign to rivals to stay away.
Not only do birds see in colour, but it is vital to their survival.
