Individual color variation and male quality in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca): A role of ultraviolet reflectance

Abstract

Bright coloration of males in many animal species has inspired researchers for more than a century. In this field study, we investigated whether color variation between individuals is related to individual quality in pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) males in terms of arrival time at the breeding sites. In addition to traditional visual color scoring, plumage color was measured using spectroradiometric measurements between 320 and 700 nm. This range includes the near-ultraviolet waveband from 320 to 400 nm. Males that arrived earlier at breeding sites had higher proportional UV reflectance in the crown and mantle. The proportional UV reflectance in the crown and mantle was not related to traditionally scored general brownness in males. However, adult males had a higher proportion of ultraviolet in the plumage than yearling males or females. These results suggest that in pied flycatcher males, the UV reflectance of plumage may be positively correlated with individual quality.