Here's how we proved that tropical birds are more colourful – and why colour helps them survive

Green headed tanager in Ubatuba, Brazil Lars Falkdalen Lindahl, CC BY-SA 3.0., CC BY

For many of us, the tropics conjure up thoughts of lush vegetation teaming with vibrant and strikingly colourful birds, insects and other creatures.

It’s been a widespread belief that the tropical regions of the world are home to the most colourful species – an idea that probably dates back to the 19th century when famous naturalists, including Charles Darwin, remarked on the “rich variety of colours” found in the tropics compared to their high-latitude homelands.