News Animals

How fish biologists discovered birds of paradise have fluorescent feathers

A first survey of museum specimens finds biofluorescence in 37 of 45 species

A black, cream and burnt orange bird of paradise perched on a tree branch.

With an extravagant tail, a male of the emperor’s bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea guilielmi) has a lot of feathery decoration to work with as he flirts with females and postures toward rival males.

Jacques Erard/eBird

By Susan Milius

With flashy feathers and fancy moves, birds of paradise are already known for extravagant looks.