Pink, But Not Really Blue
Did you know that the Blue Jay only appears to have a vivid blue colororation? It doesn't really. In fact, as far as blue in birds is concerned, it's not just the Blue Jay that only appears to be blue, for blue pigment does not exist in any birds! So, are we seeing things? Well, not really. The blue color results from a refraction of light by the inner structure of the feather material. In other words, the blue is a structural color, not a pigmentation color. If the feather is crushed, the blue color will disappear. Better still, if you look at the feather by transmitted light rather than reflected light ... that is, place it so that the feather is directly between you and a light source ... an ordinary light bulb, for example ... that blue color will disappear and the feather will appear gray!!! How do I know? Well, with all these Blue Jays being around, every once in awhile there's a stray feather to be found. So, I've actually carried out that little experiment myself.
Now, as for the pink color ... that does exist. :-) Interestingly enough, though, a truly blue rose does not exist in nature either, because the rose lacks the gene that has the ability to produce a truly blue color. Like a lot of things these days, though, scientists have produced one by genetic modification.
Anyway, the next time you see a Blue Jay ... or any other bird with blue coloration ... keep in mind that you are only seeing that blue color because light rays have been bent by the internal structure of the bird's feathers, not by any blue pigmentation in those feathers.
Class dismissed! :-)
Pink, But Not Really Blue
Did you know that the Blue Jay only appears to have a vivid blue colororation? It doesn't really. In fact, as far as blue in birds is concerned, it's not just the Blue Jay that only appears to be blue, for blue pigment does not exist in any birds! So, are we seeing things? Well, not really. The blue color results from a refraction of light by the inner structure of the feather material. In other words, the blue is a structural color, not a pigmentation color. If the feather is crushed, the blue color will disappear. Better still, if you look at the feather by transmitted light rather than reflected light ... that is, place it so that the feather is directly between you and a light source ... an ordinary light bulb, for example ... that blue color will disappear and the feather will appear gray!!! How do I know? Well, with all these Blue Jays being around, every once in awhile there's a stray feather to be found. So, I've actually carried out that little experiment myself.
Now, as for the pink color ... that does exist. :-) Interestingly enough, though, a truly blue rose does not exist in nature either, because the rose lacks the gene that has the ability to produce a truly blue color. Like a lot of things these days, though, scientists have produced one by genetic modification.
Anyway, the next time you see a Blue Jay ... or any other bird with blue coloration ... keep in mind that you are only seeing that blue color because light rays have been bent by the internal structure of the bird's feathers, not by any blue pigmentation in those feathers.
Class dismissed! :-)