Background matching and evolution of cryptic colours of selected passerines in deciduous woodlands

Most drab plumage colours are probably cryptic. Crypsis (camouflage) occurs when the colour of a significant part of the plumage is similar to the colour of a significant part of the background against which the prey bird may be detected by a potential predator. In this study we compare back colours of tits and associated species with colour backgrounds in their habitat during a four-month period in winter. We test the hypothesis that in some of...