These berries will turn a bright color when they are ripe. After birds eat the berries, the seeds will pass through their digestive system and be left behind as seeds that will grow into new plants. Time to Mate Color is also used to attract mates. Many male birds are brightly colored to attract females. Female birds are naturally attracted to healthier males because their offspring will be healthier.
Female birds are often less colorful.
This helps camouflage them when they are nesting. Advertising color is also used to warn animals away. The ladybug has bright orange wings with black spots. Its coloring warns predators that the ladybug tastes awful. The striped skunk has white stripes that are a warning to predators that they may be in for a nasty surprise if they try to attack.