What defines the breeding male Whinchat's contrasting facial pattern?

Answer

A deep black face set against a clean white supercilium.

The breeding male Whinchat exhibits striking sexual dimorphism, particularly visible in his head coloration which is crucial for mating displays during the short summer months. His face is distinctly deep black. This dark area is sharply contrasted by a clean white stripe situated directly above the eye, which is formally known as the supercilium. This visual marker, combined with his bright orange-rufous breast and greyish-black back, allows for rapid identification by conspecifics and rivals in open landscapes. The female and juveniles lack this sharp black and white facial structure, instead presenting a much duller, brownish appearance, highlighting the evolutionary importance of these vibrant markings solely for the breeding male during his reproductive period.

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evolution Whinchat