A brilliant bird finding

A new study showed that tropical birds really are more colorful than birds from other parts of the world. Scientists studied photos of 4,500 bird specimens, then used computers to measure the color and intensity of the feathers on each bird. The results showed that birds from West Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Amazon rainforest in South America are nearly one third more colorful than those from other regions of the world. The researchers aren’t sure why, but they think stable temperatures and plentiful food in the warm countries where tropical birds live may give them a more constant source of energy, which allows them to produce more complex colors. The study will help researchers identify hot spots of colorful bird life and highlight these habitats for protection.…

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The Week Junior US (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 141

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