The Birds of Paradise They are famous for their spectacular appearance and for the equally sensational courtship rituals that put in place to conquer females. Now a study published on Royal Society Open Science adds a further element of charm to these birds: I am (Almost) everyone biofluorescenta feature that according to the authors of the study is also connected to theirs coupling rites – A further way for communicate with females and report your quality.
What are birds of paradise? THE Paradiseidor birds of Paradise, are native and endemic birds of New Guinea, with only some species (on the 45 total species) that are found in Australia and in other Pacific islands.
As mentioned, they are famous for their intricate courtship rituals, and also for their spectacular appearance and the colorful plumage. Plumage that, apparently, has another feature not visible to the human eye, that is Biofluorescencediscovered in 37 of the 45 known species of birds of Paradise: it took ten years of studies and special photographic equipment, capable of photographing also parts of the bright spectrum invisible to the human eye.
What is biofluorescence? It is in this way that the team has discovered biofluorescence: it is a phenomenon for which A living organism absorbs lightthe “transforms” e The re -emerge of a different color. Present in many animal groups, from sharks to corals to turtles, biofluorescence is also found in the birds of paradise, which absorb the light and re-emerge of a yellow-green color.
Biofluorescence is particularly evident In the males of the birds of Paradiseand it is very evident especially in those parts of the body that are put on display during courtship: it is logical therefore to think that it is A further seduction strategywhich we had never seen before this research, carried out with specialized tools.
