What color are the dorsal feathers of the adult Hoiho?
Answer
Slate-grey or bluish-grey
The Hoiho exhibits a clear differentiation in plumage color between its upper and lower body surfaces, a common adaptation known as countershading. The dorsal side, which includes the back, wings, and the upper part of the head, is covered in feathers that present as slate-grey or bluish-grey. This specific darker coloration provides effective camouflage, helping the bird blend seamlessly when viewed from above against the backdrop of deeper ocean waters or the shaded, vegetated coastal areas where they breed.
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