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Digest: Light environments poorly explain hummingbird plumage colour

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Light environments dictate how effective the colours that species adopt are for signalling or certain physiological functions, such as UV protection. Beltrán et al. (2026) show that light environments may, however, play only a marginal role in shaping variation in colour for hummingbird plumage, while sex and phylogeny are primary drivers of variation. These findings raise several questions about how hummingbirds overcome the demands of their light environment on their plumage colour and how colour evolves.

Source: Evolution

DOI: 10.1093/evolut/qpag188

Author: Catherine Nistha

Institution: Wageningen University & Research

Language: English

Topic: Animal Behavior and Reproduction

Subfield: Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W7222630669

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