Iris coloration and a case of temporary heterochromia in the Red-bellied Grackle (Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster)

ABSTRACT: We describe overlooked patterns and age-related variation in the iris coloration of the Red-bellied Grackle (Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster), a range-restricted threatened species of the Colombian Andes. Whereas adults exhibit a bicolored pale yellow/scarlet red iris, juveniles show a dark iris, ranging from dark brown to grayish brown. In addition, we report the first case for a Neotropical species of temporary heterochromia iridis, an uncommon phenomenon in birds, from recaptures of a female Red-bellied Grackle in 2010. Our observations suggest that this case of heterochromia may be related to stress and changes in blood flow to the eye.

• Autores: David Rivera, Santiago; Muñoz Zapata, Jenny Maryory; Ocampo Rendón, David; Estrada Flórez, María Camila; Cuervo, Andrés M.
• Tipo de recurso: Article of investigation
• Fecha de publicación: 2013
• Institución: Universidad de Antioquia
• Repositorio: Repositorio UdeA
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:bibliotecadigital.udea.edu.co:10495/34429
• Acceso en línea: https://hdl.handle.net/10495/34429; https://asociacioncolombianadeornitologia.org/ojs/index.php/roc/article/view/268
• Palabra clave: Antioquia (Colombia); Iris (ojo); Iris (Eye); Heterochromia iridis; Hypopyrrhus pyrohypogaster; Coloración del iris
• Rights: openAccess
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/co/