Birds of paradise are already nature’s show-offs. Found in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Eastern Australia, these creatures flaunt flashy feathers and bizarre ornaments. Their mating displays are a full-blown spectacle, with males morphing into wild shapes to impress the ladies.
Turns out, they’ve been hiding an even flashier secret—many of them glow in the dark.
Biologist Rene Martin of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln decided to investigate whether these birds had another trick up their feathered sleeves. Her team examined museum specimens dating back to the 1800s and discovered that 37 out of 45 known bird of paradise species have biofluorescent feathers. That’s right—under ultraviolet light, these birds shine like neon signs.
Biofluorescence is common in fish, reptiles, amphibians, and even mushrooms. But birds? Not so much. That’s what makes this discovery stand out.
Why the glow? It’s most likely linked to their elaborate mating rituals. The males already put on stunning visual performances, and the added glow could make their displays even more jaw-dropping. But scientists suspect there’s more to the story. In certain lighting, their fluorescent features could help them signal to one another—or even blend into the dappled light of the rainforest.
Researchers admit that studies on bird biofluorescence are scarce. If these birds have been glowing all along, who knows what else is out there waiting to be discovered?
GLOW-UP: HOW IT WORKS
Biofluorescence happens when high-energy light—like ultraviolet or blue wavelengths—hits an organism and gets re-emitted at lower-energy wavelengths. That means greens, yellows, oranges, and reds. The result? A living, breathing glow stick.
It’s not just birds of paradise pulling this trick. Other fluorescent birds include certain parrots and owls. But these guys take it to another level, adding yet another layer to their already ridiculous flamboyance.
Nature isn’t just beautiful—it’s full of surprises.
Five Fast Facts
- Birds of paradise were once used as currency by some indigenous tribes in Papua New Guinea.
- These birds inspired the design of military uniforms and royal garments in 18th-century Europe.
- Their courtship dances can last for hours, with some males performing hundreds of times before winning a mate.
- Biofluorescence has been observed in platypuses, making them one of the few mammals with this trait.
- Some birds of paradise have such elaborate feathers that early European explorers thought they had no feet and floated in the air.
