Tulane University researchers have worked in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea studying the White-shouldered Fairywren since 2011. Researchers in the Karubian Lab travel half way around the world to study this unique species because of the fascinating pattern of variation in female plumage it exhibits. In some parts of the island of New Guinea, female fairywrens are dull brown and contrast to the male’s brightly ornamented black and white plumage. In other parts of the country, females and males are similarly ornamented, and yet in others females are somewhere in between. Males remain consistently brightly plumaged throughout the island.
This video includes footage from the 2014 field season and highlights the methods and community involvement that are cornerstone to the Karubian Lab's research in PNG.
Video footage: Max Aliaga (www.maxime-alia..., Erik Enbody
Karubian Lab website: karubian.tulane.edu
Music credit Ratatat