The student voice of Washington State University since 1895

The Daily Evergreen

The student voice of Washington State University since 1895

The Daily Evergreen

The student voice of Washington State University since 1895

The Daily Evergreen

Most feathers owe their tones to pigments: organic compounds scattered through the feather. Melanin, the pigment responsible for black, brown and tan hues, is produced by birds and resides in feather structures called melanosomes, according to Audubon.

The science of shimmer: iridescence in bird feathers

ISABELLE BUSCH, Evergreen reporter, columnist January 27, 2022

A glint catches your eye. The fiery metallic shine belongs to a Calliope hummingbird, who hovers curiously in front of you. Then in a shimmering blur, it is gone, leaving your eyes ablaze with nearly unbelievable...

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