“Birds-of-paradise are known for their bright and colorful plumage, but it turns out they are even more dazzling than previously thought. Researchers have found 37 of the 45 species show biofluorescence—in other words, patches of their plumage or other body parts absorb UV or blue light, and emit light at lower frequencies,” notes Atlas Obscura.
“It would make these biofluorescent areas brighter—a yellow feather may be more green-yellow, a white feather may be brighter and slightly more green-yellow,” says Dr. Rene Martin of the Museum of Natural History.
The researchers “placed males and females of each species under blue light in a dark room and recorded the wavelengths and intensity of light emitted. In some cases, they also shone UV light on the skins.” The study’s
results revealed that males of 21 species showed biofluorescence on parts of their plumage such as their head, neck, belly, and tail feathers, or on fleshy lobes known as face wattles. In addition, these species plus an additional 16 species showed—or were deemed likely to show—biofluorescence in their inner mouth and throat.
Females of 36 of these species, and most likely all 37, also showed biofluorescence. Several showed this on their chest and belly, or on feathers that form an eye stripe on the side of their head. The team said the emitted light ranged from light or teal blue wavelengths to green and green-yellow…
“Male birds-of-paradise often have these patches next to stark black [or] dark plumage, so the added effect of biofluorescence may aid in making these signal areas even brighter while being used during [courtship] displays,” added Martin. In females, however, the phenomenon might have a different function. “The location and patterns of their biofluorescent plumage of many species are much more in line with its possible use as camouflage.”
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