Sexual Dimorphism in Birds

Sexual Dimorphism in Birds - Male Vs Female

In general Sexual Dimorphism is an interesting phenomenon but in birds its visibly delightful factor. The males are usually brighter and bigger than the females. But there are few exceptions like Painted Snipe where the females are bigger and colorful. In Birds of prey, the females are always larger as they catches the prey for their chicks. In few birds like minivets both the sexes are equally colorful. People who don't have any knowledge about birds usually think these birds as different species. 

Let us start by having a look at our common backyard bird. In the case of Asian Koel ,  the male is glossy black and female is dark brown with white spots. Sexual dimorphism in ducks is very common. In Northern Pintail, the male is more striking.A thin white stripe runs from the back of chocolate-color head.  The female plumage is more subtle. 

For Pied bush chat males are black with a white vent and a white wing patch. Females are dark brown with no white patch.As far as the Asian fairy bluebird goes, the male has a rich blue color when compared to the duller females. The females are also slightly smaller in size. The smaller and active sunbirds are good examples of sexual dimorphism. The male of the Purple-rumped sunbird is brightly coloured and iridescent with a bright purple throat. The female lacks the vibrant colors and is olive above and yellow below. 

The Nilgiri blackbird is rather dull in color when compared to sunbirds but the difference is well marked. The male is blackish brown with a dark cap, and the female is brown in color. Both birds have the bright orange beak.The Himalayan beauty - Spot winged grosbeak exhibits dimorphism too. The Males have a black head and yellow chest while female is pale in comparison with streaks on chest. The Male and Female of Indian robin are visibly different. The males are jet black and The females are brownish in color. They both have rufous patch below their tail

Indian paradise flycatcher exhibits extreme dimorphism. The Males have elongated tail feathers with white or rufous plumage. While the Females are short-tailed with rufous wings. 

The Rose ringed parakeet  on the other hand has a simple variation between male and female. The male has visible rose ring on neck while the female lacks the ring. Apart from that both look the same. The Indian Peafowl is India's best example for Sexual dimorphism. The Males are iridescent with blue and green plumage while females are dull brown color.  The females are as big as males, but they lack the long tail. The Grey jungle fowl is another excellent example. The males are colorful with long tail feathers while females are brown in color with white streaks. 

One of the few raptors that exhibit dimorphism is the common kestrel. In Kestrel the male has rufous colored wings with a grey head. The Female is brown in color with streaks. For Oriental magpie robin, The male has black upperparts and Female is greyish black. The male has a melodious long song while the female has a short whistle.Sexual dimorphism in ducks is very common. In northern pintail, the male is more striking.A thin white stripe runs from the back of chocolate-color head. The female plumage is more subtle. In purple Sunbird the males can appear all black in harsh sunlight but they show purple iridescence under good light. Females are olive above and yellowish below.

Natural world is always full of wonders and this Sexual dimorphism is not an exception!