Birds-of-paradise are known for their amazing mating dances, but there’s a lot more to these vibrant birds than most people realize. Recently, scientists made an exciting discovery: these birds glow under specific light conditions!
Researchers at the American Museum of Natural History found that all 37 main species of birds-of-paradise found in Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia have biofluorescent features. Some closely related species do not glow, but the majority do. When exposed to UV or blue light, many of these birds sparkle with shades of green and yellow.
Male birds-of-paradise often have bright fluorescent patches on their heads, necks, and even their feet. These colorful signals stand out against their darker feathers, particularly during their elaborate courtship displays where they dance and pose to attract mates.
The research was conducted using deceased birds, so it’s still unclear how biofluorescence plays a role in their lives. However, lead scientist Rene Martin suggests that these bright colors might help them communicate more effectively during courtship.
Interestingly, male birds may also show off bright colors inside their mouths, enhancing their displays. Before or during performances, they can create a striking visual by raising their wings to form a dark halo and then opening their glowing bill.
Females of these species, too, have been found to fluoresce, although less dramatically than males. Their glowing patterns are mainly on their chests and bellies, possibly serving a dual purpose of camouflage and communication.
Birds have excellent vision and can see in the ultraviolet spectrum, which enhances the visibility of biofluorescent signals. The habitats of these birds, rich in ambient UV and blue light filtering through trees, help their feathers absorb specific wavelengths, causing them to glow.
Before this study, only a few bird species, like puffins and parrots, were known to have biofluorescent features. Now, birds-of-paradise are added to this intriguing list.
John Sparks, the museum curator who began this research, points out the need to explore more bird species for biofluorescence. This research might help us understand how these vibrant colors influence mating behaviors and survival in the wild.
For more details, you can check out the full study published in Royal Society Open Science.
