Malar stripe size and prominence in peregrine falcons vary positively with solar radiation: support for the solar glare hypothesis.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Vrettos M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8169203 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Malar stripe size and prominence in peregrine falcons vary positively with solar radiation: support for the solar glare hypothesis.
Vrettos Michelle M Reynolds Chevonne C Amar Arjun A
Biology letters 20210602 6
Many falcons (<i>Falco</i> spp.) exhibit a distinct dark plumage patch below the eye, termed the malar stripe. This stripe is hypothesized to reduce the amount of solar glare reflected into the eyes while foraging, thereby increasing hunting efficiency in bright conditions. Here, we use a novel, global-scale correlative approach to test this 'solar glare hypothesis' in peregrine falcons (<i>Falco peregrinus</i>), the most widespread falcon species, using web-sourced photographs from across the s ...[more]
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