Evolution of Bird Plumage Colors
Evolution of Bird Plumage Colors
Miranda Sinnott-Armstrong, PhD, Curator of Botany, Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Project description
The striking colors of birds throughout the world are some of the most charismatic features of biodiversity. The colors of bird feathers not only result from the color of the surface feather, but also from interactions between the surface feathers and the “hidden layers” of feathers beneath. In this project, we seek to understand how the “hidden layers” of feathers beneath the surface contribute to the overall color appearance of the bird. We ask questions such as:
- What mechanisms of color production do the surface feathers use?
- How does the “hidden layer” of feathers match or differ from the surface coloration?
- How do these distinct feather layers vary across the bird tree of life?
What you’ll get out of it
- Hands-on experience working with museum bird collections at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
- Training in evolutionary thinking
- Practice with data management, statistical analysis, and R programming
What we’re looking for
- Curiosity and enthusiasm for working in a museum! No expertise needed — we’ll teach you everything you need to know.
- Ability to commit to 5-10 hours/week for data collection and analysis
- Willingness and ability to travel to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
If you’re excited to learn more about birds, work in a museum setting, and gain hands-on experience with scientific research, this is for you!