After ruling out diet, scientists discover the secret behind blue feathers lies inside how the feathers are made. Gavriel Jecan / Corbis For decades, scientists have known how birds with yellow or ...

It simply changes the birds’ coloration. Hill said he and fellow researcher Kevin McGraw, now at Arizona State University, conducted a biochemical analysis of a yellow cardinal feathers ...

This yellow-shafted ... For these birds, a meal that changes their hue could lead to problems finding a partner. Though their feathers might be red, they could be left feeling blue.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. GrrlScientist writes about evolution, ecology, behavior and health. Many birds’ plumage colors are somehow derived from the ...

With flashy feathers and fancy moves, birds of paradise are already ... For instance, intense blue — in; then greenish yellow — out. Seahorses and pipefish fluoresce bright red.

a white feather may be brighter and slightly more green-yellow". Biofluorescence makes the birds brighter and more eye-catching In the study researchers examined the effect of both blue and UV ...

Blue pigment, however, is rare in nature. The feathers of birds like blue jays and indigo buntings have contain tiny, randomly-arranged structures that scatter light. Certain wavelengths dominate ...