WHEN THE Prussian naturalist Alexander von Humboldt arrived in South America in 1799, the colours astonished him. “Look at the blossoms, the birds,” he wrote. “Even the crayfish are blue and yellow.” ...

Hummingbirds are potentially the most colourful birds in the animal kingdom – at least, they are from the perspective of the birds themselves. An analysis of 114 species of the small, nectar-supping ...

The first animals with trichromatic vision were arthropods. Picture a primordial Earth: a world of muted browns, greys and greens. Fast forward to today, and Earth teems with a kaleidoscope of colours ...

While many animals use camouflage to stay hidden, some go in the opposite direction. They wear bright, bold colours that help them stand out– for a reason. These colours can attract mates, warn ...

Songbirds that dwell in tropical regions closer to the equator are more colourful than those living in milder climates. The findings support the idea that tropical animals are generally more colourful ...