A gene for red colour vision that originated in the reptile lineage around 250 million years ago has resulted in the bright red bird feathers and 'painted' turtles we see today, and may be evidence ...

The ring-necked pheasant, an introduced species that has declined from its peak population in Pennsylvania in the 1970s to only a couple heavily managed pockets today, is one of the few birds that ...

DURHAM , N.C. -- Birds may not have a word for maroon. Or burnt sienna. But show a zebra finch a sunset-colored object, and she'll quickly decide whether it looks more like "red" or "orange." A Duke ...

Birds boast some of the most vibrant colors among terrestrial animals. The tropics are often renowned for the brightest birds, but U.S. birds also display a wide array of striking hues. But just how ...

A You may have some particularly bright males in your neighborhood. Although we tend to think of all cardinal males as being knockout red, there actually is some variation in their brightness. And ...

Earlier this year, scientists used zebra finches to pinpoint the gene that enables birds to produce and display the colour red. Now, a new study shows the same 'red gene' is also found in turtles, ...