Female and male plumage brightness is positively correlated among populations of the dichromatic Variable Seedeater

Because studies of plumage coloration often focus on highly elaborate and conspicuous males, little is known about the factors driving the evolution of drab plumage in females of dichromatic species. We explored variation in the color properties of drab female plumage across subspecies of the Variable Seedeater (Sporophila corvina), and found a correlation between plumage brightness of male and female plumage patches. This correlation is consistent with the hypothesis that differences in plumage brightness among females result, at least partially, from a genetic correlation or shared developmental pathway with the more conspicuous male plumage traits that are shaped by sexual selection. Further, we modeled the perception of female plumage using the avian visual system and found that most of the variation in color among females is mostly undetectable by birds; therefore, it is unlikely for such variation to have evolved via direct sexual selection as a signal for recognition or assortati..., For details, please see README.md file and the accompanying published article: Ocampo, D., Barrantes, G., & Uy, J.A.C. (2023). Female and male plumage brightness is positively correlated among populations of the dichromatic Variable Seedeater. Ornithology, Accepted, For details, please see README.md file and the accompanying published article: Ocampo, D., Barrantes, G., & Uy, J.A.C. (2023). Female and male plumage brightness is positively correlated among populations of the dichromatic Variable Seedeater. Ornithology, Accepted