Red By Any Other Name

Vermillion, crimson, cinnamon, ruby. All describe the different hues of red found in bird feathers. Red feathers have flummoxed scientists for decades and they continue to narrow down the genetics that provide such a wide array of red shades. Red pigments can be found not only in feathers and on their skin but internally as well. Each bird has genetics that can influence the amount of red pigment that is produced. Even in a single bird species the amount of red can differ depending on the interactions between the pigment types, the genetics of the bird, and even the food that the bird eats.