Study Shows Birds-of-Paradise Give Off Light

Overview

• Date of publication: February 13, 2025
• Researchers discovered that many species of birds-of-paradise exhibit biofluorescence, where their feathers glow under certain types of light.

Key Discoveries

• Biofluorescence: Phenomenon where animals take in one kind of light and emit another kind.
  • Found in 37 out of 45 species of birds-of-paradise.
  • Different from bioluminescence (e.g., fireflies), where animals produce their own light.

Study Details

• Conducted by Dr. Rene Martin and her team at the American Museum of Natural History.
• Methodology:
  • Samples of male and female birds from 45 species tested.
  • UV and blue light shone on birds in a dark room.
  • Special tools measured the light emitted.

Findings

• Biofluorescence is most prominent in males:
  • Bright green and green-yellow glow.
  • Strongest in areas shown during mating dances (head, neck, stomach, tail feathers).
  • Also present on faces and inside mouths, often opened during displays.
• Females also exhibit biofluorescence but to a lesser extent, possibly for camouflage.

Additional Observations

• Some birds-of-paradise have ultrablack feathers that absorb almost all light, enhancing color contrast.
• Biofluorescence may aid in attracting mates; more research needed to understand its full role.

Challenges and Future Research

• Current findings based on museum samples.
• Natural habitat studies could offer more insights but pose logistical challenges.

Evolutionary Insight

• Biofluorescence possibly inherited from a common ancestor.
• Six species without biofluorescence might have lost this trait over time.

Sources

• Cited sources include articles from NY Times, The Guardian, Phys.org, New Scientist, and Royal Society Publishing.

Visuals

• Included images depict biofluorescence in various birds-of-paradise.

Did You Know?

• The study hints at an ancient evolutionary origin for biofluorescence in these bird species.