Parrots are colored thanks to pigments called psittacofulvins, which they produce in their developing feathers using a unique enzyme. These pigments create reds and yellows, and greens are created when yellow pigments combine with a blue-producing nanostructure in the feathers.
Here's a more detailed look at the process:
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Psittacofulvins: These pigments are unique to parrots and responsible for their vibrant red, yellow, and orange colors.
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Enzymatic Production: Early in their evolution, parrots developed a method for using an enzyme in developing feathers to produce these psittacofulvins. The birds then "tweak" this process to generate different shades of red and yellow.
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Structural Coloration: Parrots also use structural coloration to create blue and green hues. This means that the structure of their feathers interacts with light to produce these colors. Blue color, for example, is achieved through the scattering of light by tiny structures within the feather barbs.
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Green Coloration: Green color is not created by a green pigment. Instead, it's the result of a combination of yellow psittacofulvins and the blue structural color. When light passes through a feather containing both yellow pigment and the blue-producing structure, the yellow absorbs the blue light, resulting in a green appearance.
In summary, parrot coloration is a complex interplay of unique pigments and structural coloration, allowing for their dazzling array of colors.
