Ultraviolet colour variation influences blue tit sex ratios

@article{Sheldon1999UltravioletCV,
  title={Ultraviolet colour variation influences blue tit sex ratios},
  author={Ben C. Sheldon and Staffan Andersson and Simon C. Griffith and Jonas {\"O}rnborg and Joanna Sendecka},
  journal={Nature},
  year={1999},
  volume={402},
  pages={874-877}
}
Brilliant blue and violet structural colours are common plumage ornaments in birds, but their signalling functions are poorly understood. This may be because birds also communicate in ultraviolet (UV-A) wavelengths (320–400 nm), invisible to humans, but a strong spectral component of many structural colours. From a wild population of blue tits—Parus caeruleus, sexually dimorphic primarily in the ultraviolet—we report experimental evidence that females skew the sex ratio of their offspring in… 
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Ultraviolet crown coloration in female blue tits predicts reproductive success and baseline corticosterone
TLDR
Results provide novel evidence that maternal baseline CORT is associated with UV plumage signal in free-living birds and may be an important mechanistic link between an individual’s ornamentation, state, and reproductive performance.
Ultraviolet reflectance affects male-male interactions in the blue tit (Parus caeruleus ultramarinus)
TLDR
In agreement with the prediction that UV reflectance advertises male quality, breeding blue tits behaved less aggressively toward the UV-reduced decoy, the first experimental evidence suggesting a role for UV signaling on intrasexual selection is suggested.
Ultraviolet plumage does not signal social status in free-living blue tits; an experimental test
TLDR
It is concluded that the UV reflectance of the blue tit's crown does not serve as a signal of status in competition over food in winter and it is suggested that enhancing attractiveness in mate choice may be the sole function of the crown'sUV reflectance.
Plumage colour in nestling blue tits: sexual dichromatism, condition dependence and genetic effects
TLDR
It is concluded that the expression of both carotenoid–based and structural coloration seems to be condition dependent in blue tit nestlings, and that there are additional genetic effects on the hue of the UV/blue tail feathers.
Ultraviolet signals in birds are special
TLDR
The results suggest that signals based on UV contrast are of special importance in the context of active sexual displays, and six hypotheses on why this may be the case are reviewed.
Ultraviolet reflectance of plumage for parent offspring communication in the great tit (Parus major)
TLDR
It is the first evidence showing that the UV reflectance of the feathers of young birds has a signaling function in parent--offspring communication and suggests that theUV traits evolved via parental preference.
Absence of status signalling by structurally based ultraviolet plumage in wintering blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus)
TLDR
It is concluded that the structurally based UV reflectance of the blue tit crown feathers plays little role in competition between individuals during winter despite its importance as a cue in mate choice.
Ultraviolet reflectance influences female preference for colourful males in the European serin
TLDR
It is shown that females preferred yellower males and that male attractiveness was lost when the UV colouration was blocked, with either of the UV-blocking techniques used.
Seasonal changes in blue tit crown color: Do they signal individual quality?
TLDR
Seasonal changes in the expression of plumage coloration are probably widespread, and maintaining plumagecoloration could thus constitute an additional honesty-enforcing mechanism after molt is completed.
Colour ornamentation in the blue tit: quantitative genetic (co)variances across sexes
TLDR
It is suggested that males and females share a majority of their genetic variation underlying colour ornamentation, and hence the evolution of these sex-specific traits may depend greatly on correlated responses to selection in the opposite sex.
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