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Article: Molt, plumage abrasion, and color change in Lawrence's Goldfinch.
- Article from:
- Wilson Bulletin
- Article date:
- September 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Wilson Ornithological Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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As in many passerines, the male Lawrence's Goldfinch, Carduelis lawrencei, is more brightly and conspicuously colored than the female, especially during the breeding period (Davis 1999). The functions and evolution of such sexual dichromatism have interested investigators for a long time (Darwin 1874, Hamilton and Barth 1962, Butcher and Rohwer 1989, Savalli 1995). Some species, such as the American Goldfinch, C. tristis, increase sexual dichromatism before breeding by molting, whereas others, such as the Snow Bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis, do so by feather wear (Chapman 1939, Lyon and Montgomerie 1995). The expense of time, nutrients, and energy during molting probably ...