为了便于进行分析比较,长岛大学的菲利普·威斯基(Phillip A. Wisocki)、帕特里克·肯内利(Patrick Kennelly)等几位学者选取了全球634种鸟类的蛋,这些蛋代表了现生鸟类已知40个目中的36个,并对鸟蛋的亮度和颜色进行了定量。接着,科学家们又对某个特定区域中鸟蛋的平均亮度和颜色统计了一番,绘制出了下面这张图。
1. P.A. Wisocki et al. The global distribution of avian eggshell colours suggest a thermoregulatory benefit of darker pigmentation. Nature Ecology & Evolution. Published online October 28, 2019. doi: 10.1038/s41559-019-1003-2.
5. Lee JW & Yoo JC (2004) Effect of host egg color dimorphism on interactions between the vinous-throated parrotbill (Paradoxornis webbianus) and common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). Korean Journal of Biological Sciences 8(2):77-80.