Recent work suggests that the evolution of egg coloration may have been constrained in
three important ways that have not yet been critically synthesized in any review. First, on …

Current research into the evolution and adaptive function of avian eggshell pigmentation,
including maculation, has focused mostly on signalling‐based and structural function …

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the
author for internal non-commerci Page 1 This article appeared in a journal published by …

The vibrant colors of many birds' eggs, particularly those that are blue to blue-green, are
extraordinary in that they are striking traits present in hundreds of species that have …

The colourful appearance of bird eggshells has long fascinated biologists and considerable
research effort has focused on the structure and biochemistry of the avian eggshell matrix …

Many passerine birds lay white eggs with reddish brown speckles produced by
protoporphyrin pigment. However, the function of these spots is contested. Recently, the …

Avian eggshell color is remarkably variable among and within species and its possible
function has long been controversial. Female birds use biliverdin pigment to color their eggs …

Protoporphyrin pigment causes the red-brown eggshell colors; however, for many species,
the function of this pigment is unknown. It has been proposed that eggshell pigmentation …

Avian eggs exhibit a large variability in coloration and patterns, which are produced by blue-
green biliverdin and red-brown protoporphyrin pigments. Several hypotheses have been …

The developmental rate of cuckoo embryos and their hatching size is greater than that of
host species, which may require more nutrient resources in the egg and more intensive gas …