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Jun 3, 2008 6:39 am US/Mountain

CU Study: Markers Can Make Birds More Attractive

Reporting
Shaun Boyd
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) ― Researchers at the University of Colorado have found that a simple makeover can make barn swallow birds more attractive and produce more offspring. The study finds that looks do matter when it comes to choosing a mate.

The graduate students knew that male barn swallows with dark red breast feathers were more attractive to females. They found that by simply using a marker to darken the feathers of some male birds, they could get the same result including increases in testosterone production.

That made the males more fertile and kept their mates from cheating on them.

"Much like humans who pay a lot of money to drive fancy cars, barn swallow coloration is a signal of a male status and dominance," said Rebecca Safran, a CU Evolutionary Biologist.

Safran said the status symbol among barn swallows changes depending on where they live. In Europe, the length of tail, not breast feathers are more important for males.

(© MMVIII CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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