How the visual environment affects the diversity of avian colours and why this matters

Animal colours are predicted to perform best in their natural visual environment. If the properties of the environment change over evolutionary time so should the colours of its animals, resulting in the current patterns of colour diversity. On a shorter time scale, sudden changes due to habitat degradation could disrupt the match between colour and environment, with negative consequences for species survival. Here I will (a) quantify the evolutionary effect of the environment on colour diversity using all Australian landbirds as a model, and (b) assess the impact of habitat degradation on colour function of woodland birds. The outcomes will be used to inform conservation and restoration efforts.