Variaciones sexuales y etarias de la coloración del plumaje de Erythrura gouldiae (Passeriformes: Estrildidae) en cautiverio.

Avian color patterns are the outcome of a complex evolutionary process and have different resulting adaptive functions. In this study, we assessed the sexual and age variations in plumage coloration of captive varieties of Erythrura gouldiae; a polychromatic and endangered endangered species of Australia. The chest, belly, extended wing (upper-view) and head (side-view) of 135 individuals of 39 varieties of the species were photographed. Photos were taken on a white background with a strip containing the standard pattern of the basic colors, Red -- Green-Blue, to eliminate the effects of varying lighting conditions. Photographs were processed using Adobe Photoshop CS3, and digital values of the intensity of the Red, Green and Blue channel were measured. The mask and wings showed the highest variability, and in these areas, red color was the most variable. Individuals from those varieties derived from ancestral black mask morph, exhibited more variability. Sexual difference patterns were not equal between varieties nor body areas here in sampled. The mask in females of certain varieties was more colorful than in males, and the blue channel intensity on the chest, belly and wing reached higher values in females. In general, colors intensity of the chest, belly and wing increase with the age, unlike the mask which faded away. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]