color phase

noun
1.
a genetically controlled variation in the colors of the skin, pelt, or plumage of an animal.
2.
one of two or more colorings assumed by an animal, varying with age or season.
Origin
1925-30
Examples from the web for color phase
  • The white color phase is more common in northern populations.
  • Spotted goatfish have an active color phase when they're swimming around, which is white.
  • The white tip on the tail will distinguish this fox from other species, despite its color phase.
  • The colors listed in the tool are the colors for each phase in the combined color phase map, shown below.
  • Great white herons are a color phase of great blue herons.
  • The white tip on the tail will distinguish this fox from other species, regardless of its color phase.
  • At birth, fawns have a coat slightly darker than the common color phase spotted with white.
  • All of the fallow deer released were of the white color phase and once in the wild they continued to breed true to that color.
  • Birders find it difficult to distinguish warblers in their relatively drab, fall color phase.