![]() ![]() He began to search for a bird that would be easy to catch, could be kept in cages to further study, and one that had a fairly simple feather coloration.Īfter continuous reading of the literature and observations, Hill found all that he was looking for in one particular species: the house finch. This tends to make them more attractive, so therefore, their “ornament” must have an obvious function.Īs an ornithologist and doctoral student at the University of Michigan, Hill began looking for a system where he could test the basic theory as to why birds evolve these “ornaments”, particularly their colorful feathers. Something that we may notice in birds is the tendency for some species to have wonderful colorations added to their bodies. ![]() “However, my whole career is founded on the idea that the ornament does have a function.” Details of a House Finch’s wings. “The idea of an ornament is that it’s something that’s not necessary, and its only function is to make the other object more beautiful,” Hill explains. Birds possess “ornaments” as well, and this became the foundation of Hill’s research on the study of ornamentation. ![]() Just like how we add ornaments to a Christmas tree or to our clothing, this makes them look more attractive. Well, what is an “ornament?” An ornament is anything that adds beauty to another object. Ornamentation? A very interesting term indeed, and as you will soon find out, it is a key component to the life history of birds with red pigmentation. Geoffrey Hill, research being conducted in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Hill Lab at Auburn University has focused more on understanding the processes of coloration and ornamentation in birds. Researchers around the world are drawn to the species for many reasons, including attempting to understand more about certain characteristics and underlying mechanisms. Besides being a cute, feathered neighbor for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts everywhere, the house finch ( Haemorhous mexicanus) is also a valuable study subject for scientists. ![]()
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