How Birds Get to Be Orange
How birds get orange plumage varies between species. For most birds, the orange appearance is a result of carotenoid pigments in their diet, as well as how their metabolism processes those pigments to grow feathers. The structure of a bird’s feathers can also affect the overall color and orange hue, as can how fresh or properly preened the feathers may be. Worn plumage may lose color, and the bird’s posture can affect how light reflects off individual feathers, changing the appearance of different colors. Some bird species have geographic differences in color between different populations, and male and female birds may show different degrees or intensities of color. From classic fruit-like orange shades to darker burnt orange or somber shades and even to bright fluorescent hues, birds can be many shades of orange. The gallery below contains some of the most orange birds in the world; how many have you seen?
