bursell : articles : scientific
Why dark plumage of the European Blackbirds Turdus merula?
Why does the European Blackbird´s dark coloration match the ground color of the less widespread of its breeding habitats, the riparian forest, although its main European population occurs in the pale-litter woodland? It is argued that crypsis of all the age stages was more necessary in riparian stands, as this habitat is more risky for the species owing to a high ground vegetation surrounding a foraging bird. Poorer crypsis of Blackbird plumage in pale litter habitats may be a neutral feature, being compensated by easier scanning of the surroundings over the lower and sparcer herb vegetation and by a tendency to remain in dark sites. The black plumage of the blackbird male, perhaps reinforced by sexual selection in pristine conditions may also retain a cryptic function.
