There IS a book about it, although the words "odd" and "stretching a point" could be used to describe it. Thayer, Gerald H., 1909. Concealing Coloration in the Animal Kingdom. New York, The MacMillan Co.

Might be as hard to find a copy of this book as a grasshopper sparrow in thick sagebrush.

Thayer's theory was that bold, ruptive, coloration confused predators and concealed brightly colored birds in colorful environments. His prime examples were wood ducks, flamingoes and roseate spoonbills.

His illustrations are provocative and amazing.

Whether this sheds much light on the question: Why such colorful tropical birds? is uncertain.

It's thick in them there jungles. Try to find the white-collared manakin. Color may enhance visibility for attraction of mates, even at the occasional expense of being gobbled up by an accipiter or falcon. The idea that color increases conspicuousness of course totally contradicts Thayer's theory that bright colors and bold contract enhance camouflage.... but then Thayer may have been a bit nuts.

Meanwhile we are not seeing any colorful birds around here. It's very cold (5-20 F) and snowy. I see birds only in my dreams.

RT Cox
Frigid WY 82716
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